5 face charges over slay attempt on Sulu governor

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police formally filed charges yesterday against a losing congressional candidate as primary suspect and four others over the roadside bombing which Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan survived almost a month ago.

Charged before the regional state prosecutor’s office here were Temogen Tulawi, a former Jolo, Sulu councilor who ran for congressman but lost; Moamil Askali, Sulaiman Mohammad Muin, and Juhan Albani Alihuddin.

Also charged was incumbent Sulu second district Rep. Munir Arbison. But Senior Superintendent Edwin Diocos, regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the congressman “is just one of the suspects tagged by witnesses.”

Diocos said an “extra-judicial confession” by Muin and Albani implicated Tulawi in the bombing.

The two suspects, who turned witnesses, were arrested last May 26, 14 days after the slay attempt on Tan.

The bomb planted in a motorcycle went off as Tan’s convoy passed by just near the provincial capitol.

Tan survived the attack, but Mayor Hatta Berta of Pandami town, who was accompanying the governor, and eight of their escorts and a civilian were wounded in the blast.

Tulawi could not be reached for comment on the charges filed against him.

Last Tuesday, Tan filed charges against Tulawi and two others over the May 13 bombing that nearly killed him and wounded 10 people in Patikul town. – With Dennis Carcamo