6 MNLF leaders face raps for death of Pinoy, US soldiers

MANILA, Philippines - At least six commanders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are facing murder charges for the death of two US soldiers and a Filipino trooper in a bomb attack in Indanan, Sulu in 2009.

In a resolution dated March 18, 2010, the Sulu provincial prosecutors office found probable cause to charge MNLF commanders Khaid Adjibon, Ahadon Adak, Tahil Sali, Abraham Joel, Jun Abijon Kira Adain and 26 other MNLF members with three counts of murder.

The victims of the attack were identified as Pfc. Jerwin Jose Estrada of the Philippine Marines, and US soldiers Jack Martin and Christopher Shaw.

The complaint – filed by US Army Sgt. Isaac David Simpson, Sgt. William Ken Jackson and Jonjon Guieb and their witnesses Andy William Buenaflor and Albashi Usman – alleged that the joint US Army and Philippine Marines team were on their way to Barangay Kagay in Indanan when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb allegedly planted by the MNLF rebels.

Buenaflor claimed the attack was in retaliation for the killing of three civilians in an air strike conducted by the Marines on Sept. 20, 2009 in Barangay Batubatun.

The case was initially filed before a Sulu court and was transferred to a Cebu court for security reasons.