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PNP: Nothing vs Hataman, Salapuddin without Jamiri testimony |
ABS-CBN News Online
National (as of 12/5/2007 1:15 PM)
The Philippine National Police admitted Wednesday that it doesn't have anything against Anak Mindanao Rep. Mujiv Hataman and former Basilan representative Abdulgani "Gerry" Salapuddin except the testimony of former Tuburan mayor Hajaron Jamiri which linked them to the Batasan Pambansa Complex bombing last month.
Director General Avelino Razon Jr., PNP chief, said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) doesn't have physical evidence to support Jamiri's testimony against the two political enemies of the late Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, who was killed along with four others, after a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded inside the Batasan complex last November 13.
Razon said he is hoping that Jamiri would not backtrack on his testimony that directly linked Hataman and Salapuddin in the bombing, which the police said was intended for Akbar.
"[What we have against Hataman and Salapuddin] are mostly based on testimonial evidence. Wala po tayong pinanghahawakan sa aspetong 'yon na physical evidence kaya medyo purol ito kapag bumaligtad iyong nagsabi nitong testimony nito e mababaligtad din po ang kaso (We don't have physical evidence against them; that's why the cases will be dismissed if [Jamiri] will backtrack his testimony)," Razon told dzMM.
The police chief denied claims that the police tortured Jamiri to force him to sign the affidavit and link the two politicians. He said the police cannot coerce anyone into signing an affidavit as it will be useless and inadmissible in court.
"We won't let that happen because any testimony that is taken [from a witness] who is under duress, under torture will be unacceptable in court. Our efforts will be wasted," he said.
Razon said that according to CIDG investigators, Jamiri was initially hesitant to sign the affidavit. He added that after Jamiri had finally signed the documents, the former mayor suddenly changed his mind and wanted to take back his affidavit.
Before the police announced Hataman and Salapuddin's alleged involvement, they thought Jamiri was already decided to stand by his affidavit.
"Sana nga po iyong kanyang ibinigay na testimonya ay panindigan niya at huwag po siyang magbabago ng isip (We are hoping that Jamiri will standy by his testimony and that he will not change his mind)," Razon said.
Earlier reports said Jamiri had already withdrawn his earlier statement, where he linked Hataman and Salapudin in the Batasan bombing.
A lawyer of the former mayor told ABS-CBN correspondent Dominic Almelor that his client was forced to sign the affidavit.
Jamiri, who was arrested in Malate, Manila a week after, led the authorities to the the location of the second motorcycle bomb allegedly intended as back-up in case the explosive used in the Batasan attack failed to kill Akbar.
Police said the former mayor admitted that he hid one of the bombs and that the explosives were really intended to kill Akbar.
The police had filed multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges against Jamiri over the bombing at the Batasan Pambansa complex on November 13.
Razon said that Jamiri was included as a respondent in the amendment of the case against suspects Ikram Indama, Adham Kusaim and Khaidar Aunal.
"Jamiri was one of the John Does and our investigators have already made an amendment to the complaint and included Jamiri as one of the suspects," he said.
Hataman and Salapuddin have since denied any involvement in the crime.
In the sworn statement which the former mayor’s lawyer said Jamiri was forced to sign, Mujiv Hataman's brother Jim who lost to Akbar in the May congressional elections was also implicated.
The partylist representative had also said that he has proof Jamiri was tortured into implicating him and his brother to the Batasan blast.
In an earlier interview over radio dzMM Mujiv Hataman said Jamiri's family gave him pictures of the former mayor showing various parts of his body with bruises. |
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