Palace: Bali bombers' execution a triumph of justice

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang described yesterday as a “triumph of justice” the execution of three Indonesian extremists responsible for the bombing of a holiday resort in Bali that killed 202 people in 2002.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the closure of the Bali bombing case was a result of cooperation among countries in Southeast Asia and other security allies.

The attack, staged by Jemaah Islamiyah militants, killed more than 160 foreigners, including 88 Australians, and 38 Indonesians.

“It is judicial retribution through legal processes and the judicial system to penalize people and make people answerable for the acts committed,” Dureza said.

Amrozi, 47, his brother Mukhlas, 48, and ringleader Imam Samudra, 38, were killed with shots to the heart in an orange grove near their prison on Nusakambangan island off southern Java shortly after midnight on Sunday, the Indonesian media reported.

The three reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar (God is great)” as paramilitary police escorted them out of their isolation cells shortly before midnight on Saturday.

The execution triggered calls for revenge from radical supporters.

Dureza, however, downplayed the vengeance calls, saying security forces can handle such threats.

He pointed out that two wanted JI bombers – Dulmatin and Umar Patek – who reportedly are in hiding in Mindanao, could not stage terror attacks due to pressure exerted by Philippine lawmen hunting them.      – Paolo Romero