DOJ ends probe on foiled NAIA attack

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded yesterday its investigation of the foiled attack on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Sept. 1, reportedly by a group whose members wanted to demonstrate their anger against China. 

Investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes terminated the preliminary investigation on charges of illegal possession of explosive and illegal possession of firearms against Grandeur Pepito Guerrero, Emmanuel San Pedro and Sonny Yohanon, reportedly members of US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) of former presidential nuisance candidate Ely Pamatong.

The respondents recalled their earlier waiver of their right for speedy resolution of the charges against them by undergoing preliminary investigation instead of inquest proceedings.

In a five-page manifestation filed through lawyer Oliver Lozano, they asked the prosecutor to resolve the charges “to avoid the delay and denial of justice.”

The prosecutor granted the request and submitted the complaint for resolution. The three respondents did not submit their answer to the charges. 

Pamatong was also no longer invited to the proceedings even after he earlier admitted that the arrested men belonged to his USAFFE and that he influenced them into committing the action. 

He clarified that he was advocating “legal means” to pursue their cause. 

He was arrested two days after the foiled attack – not in connection to the incident but due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest on an inciting to sedition charge over threats he issued against the previous administration after allegedly ordering the “spike attack” in 2004.