Raps filed vs Basilan, S. Kudarat bombers

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed charges against the suspects in the bombings in Basilan last July 31 and in Sultan Kudarat on Aug. 28.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said murder and multiple frustrated murder charges were filed against 18 Abu Sayyaf bandits in connection with the bombing of a detachment of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Lamitan that left 11 people, including a suspected foreign suicide bomber and four civilians, dead.

Eleven other persons were wounded when a white van that was pulled over at the checkpoint at the boundary of Barangays Bulanting, Colonia and Maganda exploded.

Among those charged for the bombing were Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, who reportedly ordered the bombing; Musa Jallaha, the alleged middleman in the purchase of the van and bomb materials used; Hadji Hurang, who allegedly kept the bombs, and Nsir Nuruddin, who reportedly helped load the bombs and escorted the van.

Police said Bashir Ahmad, Abdurahim Lijal, Ammar Indama, Saad Tedie and Julamin Arundoh, who assembled the bomb, were also charged.

All the suspects remain at large.

“The case is now before the Isabela City Regional Trial Court Branch 2,” Albayalde told a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

On the bombing in Sultan Kudarat, Albayalde said 25 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were charged. Authorities said one of the three BIFF factions led by Abu Toraife were involved in the bombing. Residents were celebrating their town fiesta, when a bomb went off, leaving three persons dead.

The explosion prompted calls for the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Albayalde said probers are still trying to determine if the bomb attack was related to the explosion in Barangay Kalawagin on Sept. 2.

Two persons were killed while 15 others were wounded when a bomb went off near a department store at past 7 p.m.

Albayalde ordered the relief of police officials in Isulan and Sultan Kudarat following the attacks.