5 charged for Jan. 23 blast in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Five persons, including the wife of a police intelligence officer, were charged with double murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection with the January 23 bomb blast here that left two persons dead and more than 50 wounded.

Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro, the city police chief, said a wife of police intelligence officer and five others were being hunted down by various law enforcement units following the issuance of arrest warrants against them.

Regional Trial Court Judge Peter Eisma issued a warrant of arrest against Muammar Askali, Midel Isnaji, Nidz Asmad, Aldamer Sahibuddin and Babylin Muallam for double murder and multiple frustrated murder. No bail bond was recommended.

Muallam is the wife of a police officer assigned with the Talipao Municipal Police Station, according to Casimiro.

Muallam allegedly owned the vehicle that was used for the car bomb that exploded along the Maria Clara Lobregat highway in Guiwan village here on January 23.

Police investigation showed that the vehicle had an improvised explosive device containing three 60mm mortar rounds and TNT.

“All the accused are at large and they are now being hunted down,” Casimiro said.

Askali, a self-proclaimed spokesperson of the Abu Sayyaf Group, is a relative of Muallam, according to Casimiro.