Salapuddin rejoins MNLF to elude arrest

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Former Basilan congressman Abdulgani “Gerry” Salapuddin, wanted for his alleged involvement in the 2007 bombing at the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City, has rejoined his former rebel comrades to avoid arrest, a police official said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director, said Salapuddin has rejoined his former comrades in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the mountains of Basilan.

Latag said Salapuddin’s move “is more of convenience and security to avoid arrest.”

A task force has been tracking down Salapuddin who escaped in August last year, a few days before the local police could have served his warrant of arrest for the Nov. 13, 2007 Batasan Pambansa bombing.

Judge Ralph Lee of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 issued the warrant of arrest for Salapuddin, one of seven accused in the bombing.

The other accused are former Tuburan town mayor Hajarun Jamiri, PO1 Bayan Judda, Benjamin Hataman, Adham Kusain, Ikram Indama, and Caidar Aunal.

The Batasan blast claimed the lives of Basilan congressman Wahab Akbar and three staffers of the House of Representatives, and wounded 12 others, including two other lawmakers.