16 tagged in Basilan bombing attacks

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – At least 16 people were behind Tuesday’s series of attacks in Basilan that claimed 15 lives – including those of five terrorists – and wounded several others, police said yesterday.

In Basilan, security forces killed three Abu Sayyaf militants and safely detonated an improvised explosive device discovered in the outskirts of Isabela City.

The Regional Criminal and Detection Unit 9 of the Philippine National Police said the identities of eight of the suspects, including a prison escapee, have been established through the testimonies of nine witnesses.

They were Nurhasan Jamiri, Bensar Indama, Muton Indama, Jannatin Madjakin, Purudji Indama, Jainal Ajid, a certain Mohammad and Mansul and eight other John Does. Madjakin is the prison escapee.

Authorities are preparing murder, frustrated murder, and damage to property charges against the suspects.

Terrorists killed

In Isabela City last Friday, Marines killed three Abu Sayyaf militants suspected of involvement in Tuesday’s bombings.

Two soldiers were wounded in the firefight when troops caught up with fleeing Abu Sayyaf extremists, said Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Two rifles and a machinegun were recovered from the dead terrorists, Dolorfino said.

Troops accompanied by sniffer dogs also discovered and safely detonated a bomb believed to have been left by the Abu Sayyaf in a creek in Isabela City.

The military said troops under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 were pursuing a band of militants when they ran into a bigger group in the village of Masola.

Dolorfino said the militants dragged their casualties to the jungle after a 15-minute gunbattle.

“The bodies of the three militants were recovered following the encounter,” Dolorfino said.

“The encounter was a result of the relentless offensive we launched against those who tried to attack Isabela City,” he said.

Security forces have imposed tight security on Basilan and surrounding areas following the Abu Sayyaf attacks, the worst such assault by the group in months.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for the country’s worst terrorist attacks, including a 2004 bombing of Superferry 9 in Manila Bay that killed more than 100 people.

Grief, indignation

 Grieving families demanded justice for their slain loved ones and decried the Marines’ alleged inaction during the attacks.

“We were surprised that the soldiers did not run after the Abu Sayyaf, claiming there was no order,” Ryan Nabi, 27, said at a funeral Mass officiated by Bishop Martin Jumoad. Militants in Special Action Forces uniforms gunned down Ryan’s brother Ivan.

Families and friends of the victims who attended the funeral were in black shirts printed with “NO ORDER?”

Jumoad, in his homily, said the deaths of the victims were unacceptable.

“This is painful. We are all sad because we cannot accept the way our friends died. Their death was too violent, inhuman and can be carried out only by those who do not believe in the existence of an Almighty,” Jumoad said.

“The wicked men did this but we should not go to their level. Their mentality must not be our mentality,” he said.

City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar challenged the Abu Sayyaf to attack targets that can fight back and spare civilians.

“The Abu Sayyaf and those who were behind this senseless and barbaric act should spare the innocent residents if they have targets in their minds,” Santos-Akbar said.

Manuel Laracochea, 71, said he lost a son during the attack in their village in Teresa Heights.

He said the gunmen fired at his unsuspecting son who was on a motorbike, killing him instantly. The militants also set his motorcycle on fire.

Another victim, Bert Senibalo, an engineer and a council aspirant, was dragged out of his house and shot dead.

“Their deaths were difficult to accept, but what made things worse was when the Marines refused to engage the Abu Sayyafs claiming they were waiting for orders,” a civilian witness said.

“They (Abu Sayyaf) turned Teresa Heights into their killing field, shooting civilians on sight,” said another witness.

Marines’ defense

The military, meanwhile, clarified that the troops did not pursue the attackers at once because they were trying to avoid a misencounter as the militants were disguised as policemen.

Rear Admiral Alexander Pama of Task Force Trillium explained that the militants were able to kill two Marines.

“We don’t want a blue on blue engagement, because the target is red which represents the enemy,” Pama said.

“The soldiers on the ground were cautious. They will not fall into the confusion conducted by the Abu Sayyaf group,” he said.

In Malacañang, Mrs. Arroyo directed the country’s security forces to step up efforts in bringing to justice the perpetrators of bombing incidents, including at least two in Rizal targeting two judges. – With Marvin Sy, Evelyn Macairan, Edith Regalado