PMA asks public for help in solving murder of Baguio imam

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy is asking the public to report information that could lead to the arrest of the killer of imam Bedejim Abdullah, who was shot dead in broad daylight in Baguio City Thursday morning.

“We encourage the general public to report to the nearest [Philippine National Police] stations any possible leads that may provide significant info for the resolution of the case,” The PMA said in a statement.

READ: Philippine Military Academy's (PMA) statement on the killing of Imam Bedejim Abdulla pic.twitter.com/c5wLP9Oauu

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) December 7, 2018

A video obtained by Philstar.com shows Bedejim Abdullah walking into the entrance of Discovery Islam, an Islamic education institution along Kayang St., when he was shot four times.

The unidentified suspect ran off on foot after shooting Abdullah from behind.

READ: PMA imam shot dead in Baguio

Abdullah taught Islamic theology at the PMA.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan directed the police to “immediately arrest the gunman to give justice to the senseless killing.”

Abdullah had been teaching voluntarily since March after their in-house Imam Capt. Al-Sheidick L Kasim was unavailable, according to the PMA.

It added that Abdullah had been supporting the PMA’s Muslim community for nearly 17 years, providing “invaluable support to the command.”

Police have yet to determine a motive behind the killing, but Abdullah Samsoden Monib, a friend and colleague of the victim said that the imam had no personal or business enemies. However, he mentioned that Abdullah had been receiving threats from alleged fundamentalist groups.

"If you are spreading the right teaching, then you can be sure that other sectors will threaten you," he added.

Anyone with tips that could lead to the arrest of a suspect are encouraged to contact the Baguio City police. — Ryan Macasero