3 Abu suspects killed in QC

Three suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits believed involved in the bombing at the House of Representatives last Tuesday night were killed yesterday during an alleged shootout with government troops in Quezon City.

The raiding team composed of members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Army Intelligence Service Group (ISG) also arrested three other Abu Sayyaf suspects at a safehouse at Lot 22, Block 4, Parkwood Violago Homes in Payatas, Quezon City, near the Batasang Pambansa complex.

The bombing, which occurred  at around 8 p.m. Tuesday, killed Basilan Rep Wahab Akbar, driver Marcial Tadlo, and congressional aides Maan Bustalino and Julasari Hayudini.

Among the nine injured were Negros Oriental Rep. Henry Teves and party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela.

Malacañang welcomed news of the raid.

“President Arroyo has commended the combined elements of the police and military for the raid, which constitutes a significant breakthrough in the Batasan blast probe. She also commended the informants who tipped off the authorities,” Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Army spokesman said a member of the SAF unit who was identified only as Police Officer 3 Baucas was also wounded in the five-minute firefight that took place at around 4:30 p.m. yesterday. Baucas is now at nearby FEU hospital.

Torres said that there are indications that the suspects are linked to the Batasan complex explosion.

“We are looking at all angles. We are not categorically saying that they are the ones involved, but initial reports say there are indications that they could be linked to the explosion at the Batasan,” he said.

The slain suspects were identified as Abu Jandal, Redwan Idaman, and his wife Saing.

The captured suspects were Khaidar Awnal, Ikram Indama, and Adham Kusain.

Torres said two .45 caliber pistols were recovered from the slain suspects.

The source said the police and military agents believed that one of the slain suspects was a ranking leader of the Abu Sayyaf, since he was the subject of the joint police and military operation in Payatas.

A source said the police and military team was about to serve a warrant of arrest against Jandal that was issued by Judge Danilo Bucoy of the Isabela Regional Trial Court in Basilan.

Jandal, who was allegedly a close aide of the late Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani, was facing charges of kidnapping with illegal detention at the Basilan court.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said they are still investigating if Jandal’s group was involved in the Batasan bombing.

A police source, however, said the raiding team recovered from the safehouse a deed of sale, an official receipt and a certificate of registration of a motorcycle that could have been used in the bombing.

Probers said that the bomb was placed in a motorcycle that was parked near the south wing lobby of the House of Representatives.

The motorcycle was allegedly registered in the name of a doctor whose identity was withheld.

Aside from the deed of sale and documents of the motorcycle, investigators also recovered an identification card of one of the arrested suspects Indama, reportedly a former aide of ex-Basilan congressman Gerry Salapuddin.

The source said probers also recovered from the safehouse suspected bomb components and a uniform of an employee of the House of Representatives.

Salapuddin dismissed talk that he was behind the death of Akbar following the blast at the House of Representatives.

“Savagery is never my way of resolving any issue or problem. I always do it the legal or lawful way,” Salapuddin told ABS-CBN News. “Before they point their finger at anyone, they must accept the facts that the late congressman was undeniably one of the founders of the [Abu Sayyaf Group] where lots of people were kidnapped and beheaded, many were summarily executed during his incumbency as governor of Basilan. There are many who have an axe to grind against him.”

Probers said the Abu Sayyaf suspects had been staying at the two-story house in Payatas for the past two weeks.

“The police and military have beefed up security in Metro Manila and were ordered to serve all the pending warrants so we could arrest criminals. We got a warrant against that Abu Sayyaf and we were about to serve it when the firefight took place,” the source said.

The police-military team had earlier assembled at the Quezon City Police District headquarters in Camp Karingal in Quezon City and the raid was conducted.

The SAF commandoes led the assault on the safehouse, when the suspects allegedly fired at the government troops and Baucas was hit in the arm. Probers said the raiding team fired back.

Sources said the safehouse, owned by Lotgarda dela Cruz, was rented by the suspects.

The group used a Toyota Corolla car with license plates JBP 878.

Neighbors also said the group also used a number 8 car plate which is exclusively used by congressmen for their official vehicles.

Razon said it is still too early to directly link Jandal’s group to the Batasan bombing.

“We are still in the process of verifying their role in the Batasan bombing,” Razon explained.  – With Non Alquitran