Janjalani, 9 others charged for Zamboanga blasts

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafi Janjalani, two top bandit leaders and seven other people have been charged by the police with multiple murder for their participation in last month’s rash of bombings here that left at least 12 people dead, one of them an American soldier.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Western Mindanao filed Thursday multiple murder charges with the city prosecutor’s office against the 10 suspects and several others whose identities remain unknown.

CIDG regional director Superitendent Marvin Bolabola said the charge sheet named Janjalani; top bandit leaders Radulan Sahiron and Engr. Jainal Sali Jr., alias Abu Sulaiman; and bombing suspects Bas Ismael, Abduljamin Asanul, Madznul Ladja, Rajak Sagumayan, and Buyongan Bungkak.

Janjalani and Sali are two of the five Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by the US government, which placed a $5-million bounty on their heads. The three others are Aldam Tildao alias Abu Sabaya, Hamsiraji Sali and Isnilon Hapilon.

Sabaya was reported killed last June 21 during a sea battle off Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte. His body was never found.

Two others also charged with multiple murder — Amil Hamja Ajijul, alias Alex Alvarez, and his nephew Muhsin Ajijul — remain at large. The elder Ajijul was supposedly a bombing team leader.

These 10 bombing suspects and several others whose names were not known were charged with conspiring in three cases of bombing attacks — in Shop-o-Rama, Shopper’s Central and Fort Pilar shrine — that killed 12 people, including a US Green Beret, and wounded 201 others. The charge of multiple murder means a suspect cannot be released on bail.

"Those John Does whom we included in the charge sheet will be known later once they (are) captured through the help of the principal suspects and the witnesses," Bolabola said.

He added that Ismael and Ladja were also included in the multiple murder charges for bombing attack in Malagutay, Zamboanga last Oct. 2.

Prior to the filing of multiple murder charges, the CIDG also filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against the five arrested bombing suspects.

Bolabola said they expect the Fort Pilar bombing case will be resolved faster than the other bombing cases since the complainants are in the city.

Armed Forces Southern Command spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said that even before the arrest of the five suspected bombers, they received reports that the suspects were instructed by Janjalani and Sahiron to conduct the terroristic attack.

"We have been telling this since the bombing incidents. The bombings were actually (done) to divert (military) operations (from) Sulu to Zamboanga City to ease up the efforts our troops exerted against these bandits," Lucero said.

He added that while the troops continued its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Basilan, military intelligence operatives continued to coordinate with the police authorities to hunt down members of this urban terror group.