DAVAO CITY, 8 March 2003 — State prosecutors yesterday filed criminal charges against leaders of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Davao airport bombing that killed 21 people, despite rebel denials of involvement.
In fresh violence, police said one man was killed and two people were hurt yesterday when a homemade bomb constructed from a mortar exploded prematurely in Tacurong city in Sultan Kudarat province, about 150 kilometers (95 miles) southwest of Davao.
Police said the suspected bomber, Sami Abubakar, 27, died of injuries after the bomb went off under the seat of his motorcycle. Two female high school students were also seriously injured, they said.
Investigators into Tuesday’s explosion at Davao airport said the alleged bomber, 23-year-old Muntazer Sudang, who was among those killed, belonged to the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed yesterday that seized MILF documents proved the separatist group was taking the war to Christian areas.
Multiple murder and frustrated multiple charges were filed with the city prosecutor against Salamat, his military chief Al-Haj Ebrahim Murad, political affairs chief Ghazali Jaafar, and spokesman Eid Kabalu.
Southern Mindanao regional police chief Isidro Lapeña said respondents included two arrested suspects — Terso Sudang and Undungan Sudang — and 44 others identified as MILF leaders and members, and 100 John Does.
Lapeña said police had substantial documentary and testimonial pieces of evidence to warrant the filing of charges against the suspects. “We have documents and testimonies to pin down the suspects,” he told reporters here during the filing of criminal charges at around 5:30 p.m.
Terso and Undungan denied they were MILF members, and said Montasser Sudang, Terso’s son, was not the bomber as the AFP alleged.
Murad insisted his group was not responsible and alleged the bombing, which also killed an American missionary, might be part of a ploy by the military to justify deployment of US troops to fight the rebels.
Murad said even if Sudang was among the dead, it did not automatically make him the bomber in the absence of other evidence.
It wasn’t clear how the charges would affect peace efforts between the government and rebels. The MILF has been fighting for Muslim self-rule in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines for more than three decades.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has proposed a peace agreement with the MILF, but the rebels have accused the government of negotiating in bad faith.
In a major offensive last month, government troops overran a key MILF stronghold on Mindanao island, and the rebels responded with stepped-up attacks on army positions and explosions at power pylons and a bridge.
Local authorities said the MILF rebels on Thursday blew up a bridge under construction about 900 kilometers (559 miles) south of Manila. Two workers were reported injured.
Murad warned that the guerrillas, estimated at 12,000 fighters, will defend themselves if pursued by authorities in connection with the airport bombing.
Yesterday, dozens of grieving relatives of victims held prayers at the bombed waiting shed outside the main airport terminal building. They demanded justice and a strong government campaign against terrorism.
Placards hung around the shed denounced the “satanic bombing” and called on the government to “wipe out” rebel groups.
A message attached to a wreath sent by the family of slain American missionary William Hyde, 59, from Iowa, said: “From the family of Bill Hyde and Americans who love Filipinos and know that they are worth dying for.”
The bombing coincided with political and public debate in the Philippines over the role of US troops training Filipino soldiers in counterterrorism.
The United States wanted about 1,000 soldiers — to be deployed on nearby Jolo island later this year — to be allowed into combat against the smaller but more vicious Muslim Abu Sayyaf group. But Arroyo on Wednesday ruled out a combat role, saying the Americans would only train and assist Philippine troops.
Muslim residents of Davao expressed concern they would be unfairly targeted. On Thursday, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned Filipino Muslims to have “a reality check” and announced sweeping police measures to prevent more attacks.
“I removed my veil because I am afraid they would be targeting any Muslim,” said Badria Faizal, 23.
Reacting to Duterte’s order to arrest Salamat and other MILF officials, Kabalu said he was hoping Duterte “would be enlightened soon.”
Kabalu said leaders of the rebel group, including Salamat, were saddened when Duterte “swallowed hook, line and sinker” the military’s findings that the MILF was behind the explosion.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Dionisio Santiago said the Davao bombing was part of an MILF plan to expand the war and bring it to Christian areas.
“This is part of their program ... a document was seized from Buliok (site of an MILF camp) and this is their program,” said Santiago, referring to the MILF’s alleged action plan.
