5 suspects in Jolo cathedral blasts charged in court — DOJ

Police officers and soldiers stand outside bomb-hit Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, a stronghold of Islamist militants. At least 20 people were killed when two bombs hit the cathedral on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, days after voters backed the creation of a new Muslim autonomous region. (Photo by NICKEE BUTLANGAN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Provincial Prosecutor of Sulu has already charged in court suspects in the January 27 twin bombings at a Jolo cathedral in Sulu.

OIC-Provincial Prosecutor Rommel Cancio filed the complex crime of multiple murder with multiple frustrated murder against  Mukammar L. Pae alias Kamah, Albadji Gadjali alias Awag, Radjan Gadjali alias Radjan, Kaisar B. Gadjai alias Issal,  and Said Alih alias Papong. Pae or Kamah is the alleged bomb maker whose brother, slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Surakah Ingog, is reportedly a leader of the Ajang-Ajang group.

All five charged suspects surrendered to the police early this week.

READ: Ajang-Ajang suspects in Jolo cathedral blasts surrender

Justice Undersecretary and Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Mark Perete said the case has been filed at a regional trial court in Jolo.

“The evidence and witnesses necessary to prosecute the case are in Jolo. Hence, it would be more efficient to hold the trial there unless compelling reasons exist for the transfer of trial to Manila,” Perete said.

For now, he said they have yet to receive any request to transfer the case to Manila.

Other suspects in the double explosions in Jolo who are still at large are Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan alias Imam, Usman Absara alias Usman, Barak Ingog alias Bars/Barak, and Makrim Habisi alias Makrim. /kga