Star witness testifies vs Abu bombers

Self-confessed Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bomb supplier Gappal Bannah Asali, alias Boy Negro, took the witness stand at a Makati court yesterday to testify against those responsible for the Valentine’s Day bus bombing, which killed four people.

Asali was presented by State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco as the prosecution’s "ultimate witness," who will ensure that Angelo Trinidad, Gamal Baharan, Indonesian terrorist Rohmat Abdurrohim and ASG chieftain Khaddafy Janjalani’s conviction in the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges lodged against them.

Before Makati City Regional Trial Court Judge Marissa Guillen, Asali was examined and questioned by State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco.

The witness reiterated that he was simply asked to keep the bomb used by Trinidad and Baharan to bomb a public utility bus on Feb. 14.

He maintained that he was not aware that civilian casualties would result in the operation allegedly ordered by Janjalani.

Trinidad and Baharan, he said, were the ones who planted the bomb in an attack that was planned by Abdurrohim, also a member of the ASG.

Asali was not cross-examined by defense lawyers representing the rest of the suspects since they reserved their right to question the witness until the next hearing.

Guillen scheduled the cross-examination for June 2, when Asali will once again take the witness stand to answer questions by the defense panel.

Velasco expressed confidence that Asali’s testimony would seal the prosecution’s victory against Trinidad, Baharan, Abdurrohim and Janjalani.

He said he will be presenting more witnesses in the next hearings to support the testimony of their star witness.

Asali was recently discharged from the list of respondents charged for the bombing of the RRCG bus so he could act as state witness for the prosecution.

Guillen approved his exclusion from the list since his testimony could be used to pin down the rest of the suspects, considering that he is not the guiltiest of the accused.

He has been placed under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice, which has provided him with a safehouse, security personnel and even allowances.