Task force organized to arrest Salapuddin
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Camp of former lawmaker slam media reports on his arrest; Hataman feels vindicated
By Jefferson Antiporda Reporter and Sammy Martin Correspondent
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a task force to go after former Basilan Rep. Jerry Salapuddin, who was issued a warrant of arrest by a Quezon City court early this week in connection with his alleged involvement in the November 13 Batasan blast.
Three other suspects were also ordered arrested.
The camp of Salapuddin, through the Salacnib F. Baterina Law Office, branded reports of Salapuddin’s arrest order as “unfair.”
According to the acting PNP Chief, Deputy Dir. Jesus Versoza, the task force will be composed of at least 20 personnel from the Quezon City Police, Police Regional Office 9, Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and elements of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
“The task group was formed because we’ll be dealing with government officials and we know pretty well that the victim of the bombing was a former government official,” Versosa explained.
Versosa said that even if he has not yet received the copy of the arrest warrant, the task force is preparing to serve it immediately.
The arrest order was issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Ralph Lee after Salapuddin and suspects Harajun Jamiri, Benjamin Hataman and Bayan Judda failed to attend a scheduled arraignment.
The four were earlier added as suspects in the amended information submitted by government prosecutors.
The acting PNP chief also assured that the group will coordinate closely with the members of Congress to make sure everything will go on smoothly in the serving of the arrest warrant.
Six persons including Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, were killed in the deadly Batasan blast. Five of the fatalities were employees of the House: Marcial Taldo; Jul-Asiri Hayundini; Maan Gale Bustalino; Dennis Manila and Vercia Garcia.
Wounded in the attack were Negros Oriental Rep. Henry Teves, Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan and three
other House employees.
Akbar and Salapuddin are known political foes in Basilan.
Salapuddin camp slams arrest reports
The camp of Salappudin, through Baterina’s law firm, scored media reports of the former lawmaker’s arrest.
“We call on responsible journalism as we deplore the disinformation campaign regarding the alleged issuance of a warrant of arrest against our client,” a statement from Baterina said.
Meanwhile, Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman, who was earlier implicated in the Batasan bombing, said he feels vindicated with the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Salapuddin. Hataman’s brother, Jimmy, was also declared innocent by the Department of Justice in relation to the Batasan bombing.
“I feel vindicated now that the Department of Justice cleared my name on this unfortunate incident that brought so much pain to my family and Basileños. I just hope that our authorities will respect the rights of the accused who remain innocent. Let their constitutional right to due process be observed,” Hataman said in an interview.
He added that law enforcers should refrain arresting “fall guys” just to show that they are doing their job, and that they dig deeper into the case.
While there are lawmakers who were happy with Hataman’s getting off the hook in the Batasan bombing case, there are those who were shocked over Salapuddin facing a warrant of arrest.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin believe that Salapuddin, a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front, has no motive to kill Akbar.
“It’s just quite unlikely that Salapuddin could have done it … doing it in the institution he once belonged,” Abante pointed out. |
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