Strong case vs 2 suspects in massacre witness' slay

MANILA, Philippines - Police believe they have solved the killing of a self-confessed gunman and witness to the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last Nov. 23 after a gun seized from his alleged attackers matched with the empty shells recovered from the crime scene.

Director Leon Nilo de la Cruz, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the special investigation task group positively identified Abdullah Pasawilan, alias Pasawilan, and Morsed Simpal as the killers of Sweb Dalandan Bedo, alias Jesse, through the caliber .45 caliber found in their possession. 

Senior Superintendent Benito Estipona, chief of Task Force Maguindanao, said scientific cross-matching undertaken by scene of the crime operatives in Maguindanao showed that three of seven empty shells were fired by one of the firearms seized from the two suspects.

“Our investigators are awaiting the presence of Zamola Balabagan, an in-law of Bedo, to give his voluntary statement relative to the identities of other suspects in the Bedo killing last June 14 in Parang town in Maguindanao,” said De la Cruz.

Pasawilan and Simpal, said to have links with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), were arrested in their houses in Parang, Maguin­danao last Friday and two caliber .45 pistols and two handguns were seized from them.

“They were former members of the MILF. There was a request from the (committee on) cessation of hostilities that they should be treated as members of the MILF,” De la Cruz said.

Aside from violation of Republic Act 9615 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives, police said the two will also be charged with murder.

CIDG operatives are tracking down two more suspects in Bedo’s murder.