Probers tag more suspects in Batasan bombing

Investigators have identified two more suspects in the Batasan complex bombing last Nov. 13 that killed Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar and three others and wounded over a dozen.

Sources said the names of more than two suspects would be revealed on Nov. 29 at the continuation of the preliminary investigation on the four counts of murder and several counts of frustrated murder filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against previously named suspects.

“Investigators will identify more than two suspects in the Batasan complex blast on Thursday. Police managed to establish their identities in the course of the investigation, especially after the successful raid in Payatas in Quezon City and the arrest of three suspects,” the source said.

The official declined to comment on whether the additional suspects are considered the masterminds in the blast.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) has already filed charges against Khaidar Awnal, Ikram Indama, Adham Kusain, and Benjamin “Jang” Hataman.

Anwal, Indama and Kusain were arrested in the Payatas raid that resulted in the death of their three companions, namely Abu Jandal, Redwan Idaman, and his wife Saing.

According to Indama, who has been cooperative with police investigators, Jang Hataman was the one who detonated the bomb attached to a motorcycle parked at the south wing of the Batasan complex.

“We have completed the picture of the case, from the planning to execution and to the effort to hide the second bomb. We believed we have an airtight case against those behind the attack,” said a veteran investigator. “We are confident that prosecutors will find probable cause to warrant the filing of the case in court against the suspects.”

Aside from the confession of Indama, two police officials interviewed separately by The STAR said police would use circumstantial evidence material to the case.

“The confession of the suspects and the recovery of bombs and other evidence during a series of operations further bolster our case against other suspects,” the source said.

Earlier, Unkaya Pukan, Basilan Mayor Joel Maturan claimed former Basilan congressman Gerry Salapuddin, Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman, his brother Jim, and cousin Jang Hataman had wanted Akbar liquidated to end the political monopoly in the province.

Salapuddin and the Hatamans have denied involvement in the killing and separately submitted their sworn statements to the CIDG.

But Maturan said Indama confessed to him to get even with Salapuddin. Maturan said it was the content of Indama’s sworn affidavit that he had signed and submitted to the DOJ. – Cecille Suerte Felipe