PNP files murder charges against Zamboanga City car-bombing suspects

The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed double murder and frustrated multiple murder charges against three suspects in the Zamboanga City bus station bombing last Friday. Around two people were killed in the bombing, with 52 others injured.

 

According to a report on GMA News TV's “News To Go”, the charges were filed by the Zamboanga City Police on Monday before the Zamboanga City Hall of Justice.

 

Zamboanga City Police spokesperson Supt. Ariel Huesca said the car used in the bombing was last seen at the house of the suspects.

 

Several items that might have been used in the bombing were also seized from the suspects. “May narecover tayo na mga battery, hot wires and M-16 rifle. And during the interview, yung babae mismo [na suspect] ang nagsabi na yung kotse talaga galing sa bahay nila,” Huesca said.

 

One suspect, meanwhile, denied the allegations.

 

“Wala ho katotohanan na kami ang may motibo diyan,” the female suspect said. “Wala kaming kaalam-alam, kahit sa bahay ko daw ginawa ng tao hindi ko alam. Hindi ko kagustuhan, marami akong anak, may apo na ako, hindi ko yun bibigyan ng kapahamakan dun sa bahay ko.” 

 

On Friday, January 23, a car bomb blew up in front of the Guiwan bus terminal and Red Palm Inn in the commercial area of Zamboanga city. 

 

According to the Zamboanga Police, a 60 millimeter mortar was used in the bombing, which left a huge crater in the area and partly damaged the nearby establishments.

 

Meanwhile, Huesca said the Zamboanga City Police was looking into whether the bombing was a diversion for the escape of Abu Sayyaf Group prisoners from the Zamboanga City Jail.

 

“Parang yan na yung motive nila, magkaroon ng diversionary activity like pagbabasabog to divide the focus ng police and military authorities natin,” Huesca explained.

 

Meantime, the driver of the car used in the bombing, identified by the Police as “Nids”, remains at large. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM, GMA News