Cops file raps vs attackers

ISABELA CITY, Basilan -- Police filed criminal charges against 72 people who allegedly attacked and burned houses in Maluso town on February 27, an official said Monday.

Basilan Police Director Antonio Mendoza said eight counts of multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, robbery in band and arson were filed against the attackers last Friday before the Basilan Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

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Mendoza said the charges were filed against Talib Mutalib, a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “lost command” leader, and 60 of his men, as well as Dick Alaw, a lawless group leader, and 11 of his followers.

Mendoza said the group of Mutalib and Alaw were identified as the ones responsible in the February 27 attack in Barangay Tubigan, Maluso town, which resulted in the death of 12 people, injury of 13 others, and the burning of eight houses.

The victims that include children, men and women were in deep slumber when the suspects attacked a cluster of houses around 4 a.m. of February 27, this year.

The suspects divided themselves into three groups during the incident.

One group attacked the house of Tubigan village chief Leleng Laping, while the second group torched the houses, and the third shot the villagers.

Mendoza said a manhunt in ongoing to arrest all the suspects.