Ex-soldier charged with murder of Baguio imam

Bedejim Abdullah

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A former soldier has been charged with murder for allegedly attacking and killing a popular imam in broad daylight near the Baguio City police office in 2018.

Joselito Fernando Vidad, an Islamic convert from Zamboanga City, on Monday, was charged in absentia, said Col. Allen Rae Co, Baguio police director.

The yearlong investigation led to Vidad, who was positively identified by a witness as the man who shot and killed Bedejim Abdullah, 55, outside the Discover Islam Baguio building at the public market on Dec. 6, 2018.

Discover Islam is a block away from the Baguio police station and City Hall.

Police said the gunman, who was later identified as Vidad, approached and shot Abdullah twice in the head and thrice in the chest. Abdullah died instantly.

Vocal critic

Co said evidence suggested Vidad had a grudge against the imam although the police had yet to determine if it was personal or religious.

Images of Vidad were caught by security cameras as he fled from the crime scene. He was seen throwing the gun that hurt a passing woman.

Abdullah was a vocal critic of extremism and was quick to explain Islamic traditions, practices and culture during gatherings. He participated in various advocacy projects of the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group and was a volunteer cleric at the Philippine Military Academy.

He was also an active mountain trekker, often taking part in conservation projects organized by local mountain bikers.But Samsodin Monid, a former leader of Muslim groups here, said Vidad was an unfamiliar face to the local Muslim community. He said he doubted that there was a dispute between Vidad and Abdullah.—Reports from Kimberlie Quitasol and Valerie Damian