Raps filed vs 3 in foiled NAIA 3 bombing

By: Jerome Aning - 10 years ago

Suspects in the NAIA 3 bomb try at DOJ. JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigation filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against the three arrested suspects in the foiled bombing of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Escorted by NBI agents, suspects Grandeur Pepito Guerrero, Emmanuel San Pedro and Sonny Yohanon, all handcuffed, faced assistant state prosecutor Aristotle Reyes in the inquest proceeding conducted around 11:30 a.m.

Guerrero and Yohanon were silent during the hearing; San Pedro was sobbing audibly. They also kept their heads bowed most of the time.

Lawyer Oliver Lozano later stepped in and made a manifestation that the three were his clients. He said they would file their counter-affidavits at a later date.

Reyes set the first preliminary hearing on Sept. 12 at 10 a.m.

Lozano claimed his clients were innocent and that it was a certain Norberto Paranga who should be investigated.

“Paranga borrowed the vehicle [from Guerrero, so] it is apparent that the one liable is Paranga, who had control of the vehicle and apparently had knowledge of its contents. Guerrero had no idea [about its contents],” the lawyer said.

According to him, Guerrero was arrested in Makati City and was not anywhere near the car when it was intercepted by the NBI at NAIA 3 early Monday morning. The other two suspects, on the other hand, were just watching over the vehicle and had no knowledge about where it was to be used on that day.

The NBI operatives recovered four improvised incendiary devices or and a .38-caliber pistol with live bullets inside the car, a Toyota Revo.

Lozano told reporters that the suspects were just being framed for the charges, that he had heard that the bombing was part of a plot to sow terror aiming to prolong President Aquino’s term, and that he had also heard that an congressman was behind the plan.

“We assert that the accusation of destabilization or terrorism is actually concocted by a group [whose members] believe that if they can create an atmosphere of terrorism or destabilization, martial law may be imposed and that will be the entry point for Charter change to extend the term of the President. I think this is unfair to the President himself but unfortunately, there are fanatics like a certain congressman who is fighting for the extension of term of the President and destabilization is an element to extend the term of the President,” Lozano said.