AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Monday it has filed criminal charges against at least 30 persons, some of which are members of the local affiliate of the notorious Al Qaeda Terrorist Group, for their alleged involvement in the blast at Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro last July 26.
Chief Inspector Elizabeth Jasmin, CIDG spokesperson, said murder charges were filed before the city prosecutor of Cagayan de Oro last August 6 against Usman Hapdis a.k.a. Mam Man, a known member of the Khilafa Islamiah Mindao (KIM), an affiliate of Al Qaeda.
Based on the reports of Senior Superintendent Eliseo Rasco, Region 10 Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief, Jasmin said Hapdis has some 40 regular members—eight of which were said to be his “hardcore” followers.
Apart from Hapdis, a still undetermined number of his group members were also slapped with multiple murder charges.
Six other KIM members, along with 23 others, on the other hand, were charged with frustrated murder and malicious mischief after they were identified by complainants and witnesses last August 8.
Eight were killed, while 46 others were injured during the blast.