Monday, March 14, 2005
V-Day bombing suspect pleads guilty (5:42 p.m.)
By Benjamin B. Pulta
GAPPAL Bannah Asali alias Maidan or Boy Negro pleaded "guilty" during his arraignment Monday before the Makati Regional Trial Court for his alleged part in the Valentine's Day bombing.
Maidan was at the Department of Justice to present his extra judicial statement implicating the government's two other suspects in the attack, Gamal Baharan alias Tapay and Angelo Trinidad alias Abu Khalil.
State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, who handled the case pointed out that the judge handling the case had asked Maidan for his plea twice to make sure that the latter understood the implication of his plea and to ensure that the same had not been done under duress.
Velasco said that since Maidan seems to be the least guilty among the accused, he might be admitted into the government's state witness program.
Aside from Baharan, Khalil, and Maidan likewise charged were Abu Sayyaf Group leader Khaddafy Janjalani and Jainal Sali alias Abu Solaiman, a certain Jacky, as well as several other unidentified individuals.
No bail was recommended for any of the accused.
(March 14, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
