Thursday, July 26, 2007 Justice wants raps filed v. MILF over Basilan ambush
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered a panel of prosecutors to look into the criminal culpability of two leaders and about 500 members of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who were allegedly behind the July 10 attack on a Marine convoy in Basilan that resulted in the killing of 14 officers, 10 of whom were beheaded and mutilated.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. issued Department Order 580 activating the four-man DOJ Anti-Terrorism and National Security Cases Task Force, led by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera, to investigate the complaint of the Major General Juancho Sabban, deputy commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
The Marines were conducting reconnaissance surveillance in the area in pursuit of the abductors of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi when they were ambushed..
Aside from Dacera, also named members of the task force were Zamboanga City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron, Assistant City Prosecutor Annie Marie Ledesma, and State Prosecutor Dennie Araojo.
Gonzalez ordered the task force that once they have properly identified the suspects and their culpabilities, the panel is to prosecute them before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Basilan or wherever the venue of the trial of the case may be transferred.
In a letter to Gonzalez dated July 20, Sabban recommended the filing of charges of 14 counts if murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and 133 counts attempted murder against MILF commander Hassan Ansami alias Luksaw and Suhud Limaya alias Hud along with some 500 unidentified armed followers identified with the rebel group or the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group.
Sabban expressed apprehension that the lone prosecutor assigned in Basilan might be intimidated by the suspects as they wield influence in the area. He pointed out that the respondents have no specific addresses and are armed and dangerous, thus, any subpoena that will be served may not be possible. (ECV/Sunnex)
