Former Jolo councilor arrested for 2009 slay attempt on governor

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Former Jolo councilor Timojen Cocoy Tulawie was arrested by police and military agents in his house in Barangay Mintal here before dawn Saturday.

Tulawie, a recognized human rights activist, had earlier been ordered arrested by the Sulu regional trial court in connection with the 2009 assassination attempt on Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.

Tan escaped death when a bomb exploded just outside the provincial capitol in Patikul town as his car passed by.

Tulawie had repeatedly denied involvement in the assassination attempt on Tan, saying the charges against him were politically motivated.

Claiming political persecution, he fled Sulu last year.

Carlo Cleofe, also a human rights activist based here, said police and military men in full battle gear broke into the house where Tulawie and his two sons were sleeping and arrested Tulawie. Tulawie, he said, did not put up any resistance.

Tulawie was first taken to the Talomo police station and later to Camp Catitipan, Cleofe said.

He said lawyers from the Mindanao People’s Caucus, a group that Tulawie also works for, were set to question the arrest warrant since the case filed against Tulawie has been transferred to Davao City.