PNP clears AFP of rubout

The Philippine National Police (PNP) cleared the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday of allegations that escaped terrorist Abdulmukim Edris was summarily executed in Lanao del Norte last Thursday.

Edris, one of the two suspected Abu Sayyaf members who escaped with convicted Indonesian bomber Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi from Camp Crame last July 14, was killed together with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Mahmud Ismael while in military custody.

PNP-Police Community Relations chief Director Ricardo de Leon declared there was "nothing irregular" in the killing of Edris.

"Based on the report that we received from the military, the presumption is that everything was done according to the book. They (Edris and Ismael) tried to grab the soldiers’ guns. The soldiers had to defend themselves," said De Leon.

He said the PNP had sent a team of officers to Lanao del Norte to identify the bodies.

"Our investigators are there not to determine if there was foul play involved but to determine if it was Edris who was killed in the incident," he said.

De Leon, however, admitted Edris, who had a P3-million bounty on his head, was a big intelligence loss to the PNP.

"We would have preferred that he was captured alive as he could lead us to where Al-Ghozi was hiding. However, that was not the case," he said.

As this developed, President Arroyo ordered the AFP to make a full report on the circumstances behind the incident.

While she commended the military’s Southern Command (Southcom) for recapturing Edris, Mrs. Arroyo said the AFP must explain the circumstances to erase public suspicions of a rubout.

"The AFP is directed to inform the public on the full circumstances on the slay(ing) of Edris to obviate any reports questioning the rules of engagement," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Southcom chief Maj. Gen. Roy Kyamko said their initial investigation showed Edris and Ismael were about to board a bus when troops recognized and apprehended them. Both suspects yielded caliber .45 automatics.

Kyamko said the two suspects were immediately brought for interrogation to extract information on the possible location of Edris’ fellow escapees Al-Ghozi and Omar Lasal.

While the two were being escorted on their way to the supposed location of Al-Ghozi in Upper Naga Dimaporo town, Edris and Ismael requested the soldiers to pull over so they could relieve themselves.

While the suspects were on their way to the bushes, they tried to grab the rifle of one of the escorting soldiers which triggered a scuffle, forcing other troops to shoot, Kyamko said.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the AFP would conduct its own probe into the incident "just to put aside any doubts as to any violations of the rules of engagement."

Bunye stressed the military should be given the benefit of the doubt. He said authorities ought to be congratulated for recapturing Edris instead of making speculations.

"We accept the reality of such incident. Perhaps if we put ourselves in the situation of their escorts, we might do the same ... The message is ... fugitives ... cannot evade the long arm of the law," Bunye said.

But Bunye conceded there was loose talk of an alleged rubout to prevent Edris from implicating officials who might be involved in their escape.

"There are two other fugitives. So perhaps, next time, let’s just try to get them alive," Bunye said.

On the involvement of Ismael, Bunye said the government panel would raise the issue why the MILF commander was with Edris in apparent violation of an agreement that the Muslim rebel group should turn over criminals and terrorists to the authorities.

The MILF had denied they had anything to do with Edris and his slain associate.

"It’s too premature to say that (government panel to raise this issue). What we’re saying is government would look into the details of the incident," Bunye said.

On the other hand, House defense committee chairman Rep. Prospero Pichay (Surigao del Sur) said the PNP should come out with an exhaustive investigation to erase public perception that Edris was silenced to prevent him from naming police officials allegedly involved in the escape.

"The PNP should be forthright in presenting all facts of this case, and to punish those who were remiss in failing to adequately secure their prisoners," Pichay said.

The Hunt Still On

Mrs. Arroyo also ordered the military and the police to intensify the manhunt on the two remaining fugitives.

The military said they are looking into reports that some civilians spotted Edris with a man who looked llike Al-Ghozi before he was killed.

At the same time, Kyamko confirmed both Edris and Ismael had just come from an MILF training camp before the incident took place.

"The people told us about Edris with company," he said, without giving specific information whether the fugitive Indonesian terrorist was also in the same area.

Kyamko said that in late afternoon of Aug. 6, troops "received a very reliable" information that Edris and company was seen in the mountain village of Lampinitan, Sultan Naga town.

Kyamko also said if ever Al-Ghozi is hiding in Lanao del Norte, there is no assurance that they can instantly trap the Indonesian fugitive. He however said the military is exerting all effort to hunt down Al-Ghozi.

Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Secretary Jesus Dureza, who flew to Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte along with Kyamko, said "at least we are not anymore facing a blank wall unlike in the past few days."

"I called up the President about the mission and accomplishment of the soldiers on the ground and she was happy (with) the accomplishment of the soldiers and instructed to push further the operation until we get Al-Ghozi," Dureza told newsmen after the visit.

The former chief government negotiator also said the military received information that before Edris and Ismael were arrested, they had just emerged from an MILF training camp under Commander Alroy Alsree.

Mrs. Arroyo also ordered the military to make preparations for the evacuation of civilians once bigger operations will be conducted for the capture of Al-Ghozi, according to Dureza.

Kyamko said the troops under Army 1st Division commander Maj. Gen. Triponio Salazar have to expand their operation in the Lanao provinces, which are the area of responsibility of the 4th Army Division tasked to concentrate on communist insurgents.

"I gave immediate the clearance to go ahead with the operation," Kyamko said.

Kyamko warned that they will run after Al-Ghozi and his protectors even if they are in MILF camps.

"We will go and run after them if they will give protection and sanctuary to these criminals," he said.

Dureza said the ceasefire between the government and the MILF does not remove the mandate of the AFP and police to pursue the criminals.

He immediately brushed aside speculations that Edris was executed by the soldiers to silence him.

"Let us give due credit to the soldiers instead of speculating because this will demoralize the troops," Dureza appealed.

Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said there had been no sightings of Al-Ghozi.

"Efforts are being made to track down the other fugitives," Lucero said.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier appointed PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to personally lead a task force to recapture Al-Ghozi, tagged as one of Southeast Asia’s top terrorists.

Ebdane, in turn, issued a directive to capture Al-Ghozi and Lasal "preferably alive" to erase suspicions of a cover-up.

The escape embarrassed the President since it came on the day Australian Prime Minister John Howard was visiting Manila to boost anti-terror cooperation.

The escape, blamed on corruption in the police force, caused an international outrage.

Al-Ghozi was serving a 17-year jail term for explosives possession. He had earlier admitted to plotting bomb attacks on Western targets in Singapore and led Philippine police to almost a ton of explosives hidden in General Santos City. - With reports from Roel Pareño, Paolo Romero, AFP, Reuters