Cops file charges vs GenSan bomber

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police filed yesterday charges of multiple murder and frustrated murder against suspected Abu Sayyaf leader Nur Mohammed Umog for the April 21 bombings in the city’s commercial center that killed 15 people and wounded 60 others.

Superintendent Jose Pante, regional commander of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said Umog, alias Abu Muslim al-Ghazie, a former public school teacher, is also facing 50 counts of kidnapping and illegal detention in various courts in Basilan.

"The filing of charges against Umog was based on physical evidence recovered and his admission as the real Abu Muslim al-Ghazie," he said.

Pante said he has ordered a manhunt for a foreign-trained bomb expert whom Umog hired to plant the bombs, one of which exploded in front of the FitMart shopping mall here.

The suspect, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s "lost command," had reportedly fled to an unknown refuge following the arrest of Umog, he added.

Umog was captured last May 21 after his gangmate, JR Jikiron, told police investigators that he was the notorious kidnapper known as Abu Muslim al-Ghazie.

Police seized from him several cell phones and SIM packs, and an electric typewriter.

Authorities said Umog, one of four people who use the alias "Abu Muslim al-Ghazie," is engaged in raising funds for the criminal activities of the Abu Sayyaf.

Army intelligence said Umog is the strategist coordinating at least 12 extortionists, all of whom operate in the South Cotabato-Sarangani–General Santos City (Socsargen) area.

Police and military authorities believe Umog was involved in many kidnappings, including the abduction of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, whom the Abu Sayyaf has been holding in Basilan for over a year now.

Four captured Abu Sayyaf bandits, including Jikiron – who also uses the alias "Abu Muslim al-Ghazie" – have identfied Umog to authorities in Cotabato City.

Basilan police director Superintendent Bensali Jabarni said Umog carried a a large reward on his head and has long been in the order of battle of the Armed Forces.

"I’m certain he resettled in Cotabato City because it was safe for him to be there," he said.

Jabarni said Umog, who has a bachelor’s degree in science, is fluent in English and Arabic.