Akbar's supporters during a rally in Basilan province in southern RP. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)A QUEZON CITY judge has ordered the arrest of former Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapuddin and three other people for the bombing at the Batasan Pambansa on Nov. 13 that killed five people, including Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar.
Judge Ralph Lee of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 ordered Salapuddin, Harajun Jamiri, Benjamin Hataman, and PO1 Bayan Judda arrested after they failed to attend yesterday’s arraignment on the case.
Prosecutors had added the four as suspects to the charge sheet, but they ignored the summonses sent to them.
The government is expected to issue a hold-departure order against all suspects in the case.
Two of the three suspects in the bombing, Caidar Aunal, Ikram Indama and Adham Kusain, refused to file a not-guilty plea, leading the court to do so for them.
Only Indama, who may turn state witness, filed a not-guilty plea.
Earlier, the lawyer for Aunal and Kusain asked the court to defer the arraignment pending the appearance of the four other suspects led by Salapuddin.
But Lee dismissed the motion saying the four could be arraigned on another day and time.
Defense lawyers protested yesterday’s arraignment, saying they had a pending petition for review before the Department of Justice.
The justice department issued a resolution on Feb. 29, so the defense still has 11 of the 15 days that state prosecutors gave them to comment on the charges.
The Batasan blast killed Akbar, Marcial Taldo, Jul-Asiri Hayundini, Maan Gale Bustalino, Dennis Manila and Vercia Garcia.
Wounded in the attack were Rep. Henry Teves, Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, Ismael Lim, Kimhar Indanan, Larry Noda and Paula Dunga. (Joel M. Sy Egco)
No comments:
Post a Comment