Raps filed vs suspects in violent turf war in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -  Police authorities filed charges of homicide and multiple frustrated homicide against a civilian suspect and 44 special militia members involved in the bloody turf war between a plywood company and villagers early this month in a barangay  in the west coast of this city.

The Ayala Police Station 9 has filed the case before the prosecutor’s office Thursday last week following the result of the investigation into the grenade explosion on May 3 at the Sirawai Plywood in the Dacon Company compound in Barangay Recodo, which took place amid opposition of the residents against the company’s construction of  a perimeter fence.

While the plywood company has not demanded to evict the hundreds of residents staying  in a portion of its compound, it was fencing the area for security reasons.

The explosion that killed an unidentified victim and wounded six construction workers sparked a tumultuous exchange of gunfire between the armed residents against the company security forces involving 44 members Special Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit in active auxiliary (SCAA).

The grenade throwing suspect was identified as Idris Akil Aminulla, according to Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO).

He said charges of homicide, multiple frustrated homicides, multiple physical injuries, and multiple damage to property were filed against Aminulla and the 44 SCAA members of Dacon Company.

The police said the grenade explosion suspect remains at large while the SCAA members involved in the turf war have been identified and are barred from reporting for duty.