Rep. Hataman’s cousin clears name in Batasan blast

The cousin of Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman has denied his involvement in the November 13 explosion at the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City, which killed Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar and three others. Benjamin Hataman on Tuesday showed up at the Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) National Capital Region office at Camp Crame in Quezon City to deny the allegation hurled against him. "I came here on my own volition, showed up at the CIDG, with my lawyer, Atty. Diamante, to tell them that I have nothing to do with the accusation against me," Hataman told reporters in Filipino after leaving the said office. "I am afraid that anytime, I will be picked up by police so I voluntarily showed up here to clear my name," he added. Rep. Hataman’s cousin was among those charged of murder and multiple murder before the Department of Justice last Monday in connection with the Batasan explosion that also killed Marcial Taldo, Maan Gale Bustaliño, and Julasiri Hayudini, and hurt 12 others. Benjamin was implicated by Ikram Indama, one of the three other suspects earlier arrested by authorities. Indama claimed Benjamin gave him details about Akbar’s presence in Congress. In his affidavit, Indama claimed Benjamin was one of the six people who planned the assassination plot against Akbar. Rep. Hataman and former Basilan congressman Gerry Salapuddin earlier denied involvement in the crime. The police refused to tag the two as suspects in the blast. - GMANews.TV