PNP files murder raps vs 10 Abus in Basilan bombing

MANILA, Philippines - Police charged with nine counts of murder 10 alleged Abu Sayyaf terrorists for the killing of nine people during a series of bombings in Basilan last Tuesday.

Inspector Jose Lalimarmo of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in western Mindanao filed the information before the Basilan Prosecutor’s Office against Puruji Indama, Nurhassan Jamiri, Ajid Jalil alias Ajid Jainul, Moton Indama and six unidentified suspects.

The military has blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the three bombings, the first in front of the Basilan National High School at about 10:30 a.m.

About 30 minutes later, another explosion occurred near the Basilan Cathedral.

Police said three soldiers were killed by enemy snipers when they rushed to the site of the first explosion.

The third blast took place near the residence of Judge Leo Principe of the Basilan Regional Trial Court Branch 1. He was the one who ordered the arrest of some 130 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf in 2007 for the killing of 14 Marines, 10 of whom were beheaded.

Bombing suspects surrender to police

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines – Two politicians implicated in the bombings and attacks in Isabela City surrendered to police on Friday.

Anak Mindanao Rep. Mujiv Hataman and Ungkaya Pukan Mayor Joel Maturan gave themselves up to Basilan police commander Senior Superintendent Antonio Mendoza, according to Chief Superintendent Rolando Puruganan, Directorate for Integration Police Operation deputy for western Mindanao.

Mendoza took them to the CIDG regional office in Zamboanga City under Senior Superintendent Edwin Diocos, he added.

Hataman and Maturan, who are gubernatorial candidates in Basilan, were implicated by two suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists who were wounded and captured during the bombings in Isabela City.

A day after the explosion, Maturan pointed to Hataman as the owner of the destroyed van carrying the Abu Sayyaf attackers. – With Roel Pareño