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Suspected Spanish terrorist urges DOJ to dismiss raps filed by military


A suspected Spanish terrorist arrested in Basilan last week urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday to dismiss the criminal complaint filed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Abdelhakim Labidi Adib appeared at the preliminary investigation called by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong and Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan Parrocha to subscribe to his counter-affidavit to the complaint for illegal possession of explosives.

“I vehemently deny and assert that I don’t own and I have nothing to do with the alleged recovered evidence which are the hand grenade and the alleged improvised explosive device,” Adib’s counter-affidavit read.

Adib said he was arrested on January 22 at a checkpoint in Barangay Townsite, Maluso town not by the AFP’s 14th Special Forces Company but by seven civilian-clothed men with long firearms.

He also rejected the military’s claim that his companion, whom he identified as “Abuzaid” or “Abuzayd, escaped.

“I was illegally arrested by civilian persons, I was just walking on the road aside from that I was not doing any crime nor was about to do a crime besides there is no checkpoint. It must be noted that the evidence seized, although alleged to be inadvertently discovered, was not in a plain view. It was planted by the arresting officer because I never have those items in my bag nor in my possession," the counter-affidavit stated.

Adib, who arrived in the country last October 10, said he went to the Philippines as a tourist and that he had “no intention whatever to aid anyone in any terrorist activity especially in causing trouble to the community.”

“I began thinking about going to the Philippines when I heard so many good reviews and feedback about the country that it is a touristic place with beautiful islands and scenery and above all, splendid people who are very accommodating and hospitable,” he added.

“I did not stop thinking about the delicious food which is hard to refuse. I imagine that it is possible to have a happy life, filled with good times and happiness and devoid of many problems,” Adib said.

The 20-year-old added he wanted to find a “good woman to complete my happiness and make my life with her.”

The complaint is now submitted for resolution. — RSJ, GMA News

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