V-Day bomb supplier discharged from list of respondents

The self-confessed supplier and keeper of the explosives that were used to blow up a passenger bus in Makati City last Valentine’s Day, is now a free man, in so far as criminal prosecution is concerned.

This, after the Makati City Regional Trial Court (MCRTC) finally discharged Gappal Bannah Asali, alias Boy Negro, from the list of respondents in the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder case filed against him and four other members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Asali is now being described as the prosecution’s "ultimate witness," who will be testifying against those who planted the bomb, those who planned the attack, and those who ordered it.

He was the man tasked to keep the bomb used by Gamal Baharan and Abu Khalil to bomb a bus last Feb. 14, 2005. The attack was allegedly ordered by ASG chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani and an Indonesian terrorist identified as Abu Jackie.

In a seven-page decision, Makati Judge Marissa Guillen said Asali is being discharged from the respondent’s list so he can act as a state witness.

His move to testify against his former comrades in the ASG is expected to boost the prosecution’s chances of getting a conviction.

Guillen approved the prosecution’s motion to have the suspect discharged from the complaint sheet after he confessed to having only kept the bomb used in the attack and expressed desire to help pin down those who planted it and ordered the attack.

Lawyers representing the defense objected to the move, but the court ruled in favor of the prosecution after detailing why Asali should be taken in as a state witness.

The court noted that Asali has been removed from the list of accused and will continue to enjoy "freedom" provided that he work with the prosecution.

Guillen said Asali merely supplied the materials to accused Gamal and Khalil and "did not know what the target was or that casualties were to result in the detonation of the explosive device."

Asali has been taken in by the Department of Justice under its Witness Protection Program (WPP), which provides him a safehouse, security escorts, and allowances.

State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said Asali’s testimony will play a vital role in the prosecution’s effort to find justice for the victims of the Valentine’s Day attack, which killed four people.

He was able to convince the court that their man is the least guilty of the accused and is very credible.

Asali allegedly knows details of how the attack was planned and carried out, supported by other evidence.

Velasco said Asali will finally take the witness stand tomorrow.