DOJ: Prosecutors to resolve cases vs Jolo blast suspects in 36 hours

MANILA, Philippines— Sulu provincial prosecutors only have a day and a half, or 36 hours, to resolve complaints against the suspects in the deadly bombings in the cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

The Department of Justice said this late Monday after the prosecutor terminated the inquest proceedings against the five suspects in the Jolo twin blasts.

The prosecutor then deemed the complaints submitted for resolution on whether they would file criminal cases or not against the suspects.

Prosecutors are required to resolve complaints within 12 hours for light offenses, 18 hours for less grave offenses, or 36 hours for grave offenses. 

The complaints against the suspects include 23 counts of murder, 95 counts of frustrated murder and damage to property.

These were filed by the Sulu Police Provincial Office late Monday against the following:

• Mukammar L. Pae/Kammah L. Pae alias “Kammah”

• Albaji K. Gadjali alias “Apah Albaji/Awag”

• Radjan B. Gadjali alias “Rajan”

• Kaisar B. Gadjali alias  “Isal”

• Said Alih “Papong.”

Persons arrested without a warrant must undergo inquest proceedings, however, these suspects surrendered to the authorities over the weekend.

READ: Main suspect in Jolo cathedral twin blasts surrenders

Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, said Kammah—the main suspect in the bomb attacks—was forced to surrender to the military by the massive security operations that followed the bombings. Kammah was later turned over to the police.

Albayalde added that Kammah’s four other accomplices, meanwhile, surrendered to the police’s Special Investigation Task Group.

Seven other identified and unidentified suspects in the bombings are still at large.

The twin blasts occurred during the Sunday services last January 27, leaving at least 22 people killed and injured dozens others. — Rosette Adel