Suspect says Hataman, Salapuddin not involved in blast
ABS-CBN News Online
National (as of 12/4/2007 3:07 AM)

Former mayor Hajaron Jamiri has withdrawn an earlier statement he made that Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman and ex-Basilan congressman Gerry Salapuddin were involved in the blast at the Batasan Pambansa complex that killed Rep. Wahab Akbar and three congressional aides on November 13.

Jamiri's lawyer told ABS-CBN News correspondent Dominic Almelor Monday night that his client was forced to sign the affidavit linking Hataman and Salapuddin to the blast.

The lawyer added that Jamiri has likewise absolved Jim Hataman, the congressman's brother, of involvement in the bomb attack.

Director General Avelino Razon, chief of the Philippine National Police, meanwhile, said he has yet to be informed of the development.

A hearing has been scheduled for December 10. Jamiri's lawyer said they will file a counter-affidavit before the court on that date.

Jamiri was tagged among the suspects in the blast that also injured 12 people.

Ex-Tuburan mayor to retract raps vs Hatamans
GMANews.tv
12/04/2007 | 01:22 AM

The lawyer of former Tuburan, Basilan Mayor Hadjarun Jamiri on Monday said his client would retract his statement linking Rep. Mujiv Hataman and the lawmaker’s brother to the November 13 Batasan blast, television networks reported.

The twist in the Batasan explosion case came after the former mayor was released from the Camp Crame custodial center Monday night after he posted an P80,000 bail.

Police arrested Jamiri last November 20 in San Andres, Manila, for illegal gun possession.

A .45-caliber pistol was recovered from Jamiri. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had charged Jamiri with illegal possession of firearms before the Manila City Prosecutor's Office.

It was at Jamiri’s rented apartment in Malate that an improvised explosive device (IED) supposedly intended for Akbar was recovered last month by police and Army operatives.

Jamiri, a suspect in the Batasan explosion, gave an affidavit to police that singled out Hataman and the lawmaker’s brother Benjamin to a plot to assassinate Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, who was among the five fatalities in the blast. The former mayor also linked former Balisan congressman Gerry Salapuddin.

Jamiri’s lawyer, Eduardo Ariba, said his client will issue an official denial soon.

Ariba said his client’s affidavit to police linking the Hatamans and Salapuddin to the blast was “signed involuntarily" as Jamiri allegedly was forced to sign the document.