Missing Batasan blast 'witness' resurfaces

MANILA, Philippines - Batasan blast witness Ikram Indama on Tuesday noon surrendered to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Ralph Lee, a day after he went missing. In an interview with radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus, Indama said he left the National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s custody because he could not bear the pressure entailed by being a state witness. “Kusang loob lang ako umaalis kasi ayoko lang ma-pressure na maging star witness (I voluntarily left because I do not want to be pressured to be a star witness)," Indama said. He said he surrendered because he did not want to be tagged as a suspect to the November 13, 2007 blast at the Batasan Complex. “Kasi pag hindi ako sumuko magiging wanted naman ako (If I did not surrender, I would be wanted by the police)," Indama said. Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District head Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula said Lee called the police and then contacted him. "Meron na siyang commitment order sa Bicutan (He has a commitment order to Bicutan)," Gatdula said when asked where Indama would be brought. Last year's explosion at the Batasan Complex killed Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar and wounded several lawmakers. Police linked former Basilan representative Abdulgani "Gerry" Salapuddin to the case. Sophia M. Dedace, GMANews.TV