Bothered by conscience, accused in Zambo airport bombing yields

Fingerprints are being taken as part of the booking procedure for Addong Salahuddin, accused in the 2010 Zamboanga Airport bombing. TETCH TORRES-TUPAS/INQUIRER.net

The accused involved in the Zamboanga International Airport bombing in 2010 killing two people and injuring over 20 travelers including former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan surrendered before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday.

Addong Salahuddin who surrendered before the NBI is facing multiple murder, multiple attempted murder and illegal possession of explosives before the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court Branch 17.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez said they have received surrender feelers weeks ago.

Salahuddin was flown to Manila on Thursday morning where he underwent booking procedures.

At a press conference, Salahuddin said he has decided to surrender because he was bothered by his conscience.

He maintained his innocence despite admitting that he knew that the bag that was given to a certain “Rey” by a person he identified as “Imam Kasim” contained explosives.

“Nakokonsensya ako kaya ako sumuko, pero hindi ako yung nagbomba ng airport,” Salahuddin, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said.

(I was bothered by my conscience so I surrendered but I wasn’t responsible for the airport bombing.)

Salahuddin said Kasim took the bag to the airport and made it appear that the bag contained valuables.

He said he was instructed by Kasim to ask “Rey” to take the bag at the arrival area of the airport.

When he realized that he has no control on the detonator, Salahuddin said he left the area.

Kasim, he said, was stabbed by an unidentified assailant.

However, NBI Investigating Agent VI Vicente Essex Minguez said they have witnesses that positively identified Salahuddin.

At least two people were killed while 24 others were hurt when a bomb exploded in Zamboanga City airport in Mindanao last August 5, 2010.

Police said the target of the attack was Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, who was among the injured. The suspected bomber Reynaldo Apilado and a bystander Hatimil Haron were killed in the blast.

Prior to surviving the airport blast, Tan escaped a roadside bombing in Patikul town.

Ten of his companions, including a town mayor, were wounded in the attack blamed to the bandit group Abu Sayyaf. RAM

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