Murder charges filed against 2 suspects in Tacurong car bomb attack

MANILA, Philippines—An inquest for double murder and multiple frustrated murder against two suspects in the Tacurong roadside bombing last August 15 was conducted Thursday, police said.

Cases against suspects Datu Karim Asdal, who was seen alighting from the car before it exploded, and a Jay-Ar Reyes, who was the alleged buyer of the car, were filed, said Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr.

The car bomb attack on Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto’’ Mangudadatu’s convoy killed two persons and injured several others.

Suplemental charges for damage to property will follow, said Cruz.

Asdal was arrested minutes after the bombing while Reyes, who is believed to be a “fictitious” person, is still at large, said Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Chief of Directorial Staff.

“There is no Jay-Ar Reyes in any of the files as far as these (Land Trasportation Office, Office of the Civil Registrar Commission on Elections and Social Security System) are concerned,” Bartolome said.