While an earlier report claimed that one of the suspects of the Sep 2 Davao City bombing had been arrested, it turns out that three suspects are now in custody.
The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has filed a complaint for illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against the three alleged perpetrators of the Sep 2 Davao City night market blast that left 15 people dead and over 60 others injured.
ALLEGED BLAST PERPETRATORS IDENTIFIED
TJ Tagadaya Macabanalg aka “Abu Tufael,” Wendel Apostol Facturan aka “Muraimin,” and Musali Mustafa aka “Mus” and “Abu Hurayra,” all of Cotabato City and reported members of local terrorist group “Maute Group,” were presented to the public during a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo on Fri, Oct 7.
The suspects were later brought to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for inquest proceedings.
The inquest was conducted by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, and Assistant State Prosecutors Susan Azarcon and Ferdinand Fernandez.
The suspects asked for a full-blown preliminary investigation on charges of illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition charges.
During the inquest, respondents waived their rights under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code and agreed to their continuing detention while the case is pending before the Department of Justice.
The first preliminary investigation hearing is set on Wed, Oct 12.
ARRESTED AT A CHECKPOINT
The suspects were arrested by combined elements of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division and PNP CIDG Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at around 3pm last Oct 4 at a joint checkpoint operation along Gov. Gutierrez Avenue, Cotabato City.
Seized from the three, who were then on board a motorcycle without plate number, were “components of an improvised explosive device,” 9mm submachine gun, caliber 45 Colt Combat Commander, and mobile phones, among others.
One of the phones revealed video and audio clips of the bombing. These footage are now with the Anti-Cycbercrime Group for forensic examination.
This story by Ina Reformina first appeared on ABS-CBN News Online and is published with permission.
