June 1, 2000, The Philippine Star, DOJ's dilemma-- How do you subpoena MILF leaders, by Delon Porcalla,

June 1, 2000, The Philippine Star, DOJ's dilemma-- How do you subpoena MILF leaders, by Delon Porcalla,

Charges of murder, multiple frustrated murder and illegal possession of explosives and firearms were filed yesterday in different courts by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 26 suspected Muslim rebels believed to be responsible for the bombing of two Metro Manila shopping malls last month.

However, DOJ officials were still unsure as to how the charge sheets would be served to leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who were similarly indicted in the bomb attacks.

"We will probably ask the concerned agencies to serve the subpoenas," said Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero. "This will probably be the first time that we will serve the summons to MILF leaders and their members."

The DOJ filed a murder case against the suspected bombers in a Mandaluyong court for the killing of SM Megamall janitor Evan Calumba last May 21.

Frustrated murder charges, on the other hand, were lodged against the alleged rebels in a Makati court for the bomb attack on a restaurant in Glorietta Mall last May 17 in which 10 civilians were wounded.

Tuquero said prosecutors recommended no bail for the murder charge.

"Our state prosecutors found probable cause to hold them (suspects) liable for murder and multiple frustrated murder. In the conduct of their activities, innocent civilians were victimized," he said.

The alleged MILF members were arrested last May 27 by government agents in Maharlika Village, a known Muslim enclave in Bicutan, Taguig.

One of the men, Ali Samad, is a Manila policeman who is facing robbery charges in Manila. The Western Police District said a businessman from Quiapo had filed a robbery case against Samad, but withdrew the charges for still unknown reasons.

The National Capital Region Police Office, though, said it would pursue the administrative case against Samad despite the businessman's withdrawal of charges.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Samad and the other bombing suspects were believed to have been instructed by MILF leaders "to launch terroristic attacks and cause chaos" in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

The 15,000-strong MILF is fighting a separatist war in Mindanao for over two decades now.

Summoning the rebels

Meanwhile, Tuquero said they would ask the PNP to submit the addresses of MILF leaders Hashim Salamat, Al Haj Murad and Gadzali Jaafar who were tagged as the mastermind in the bombings.

He intimated that the DOJ may ask the military to serve the summons to the rebel leaders whose known address is the heavily fortified Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao.

Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, for his part, said the military is the only agency capable of going into that camp.

Another prosecutor told The STAR that in the past, military men even used armored personnel carriers in serving subpoenas to Muslim suspects living in rebel camps.

"Policemen cannot do this," the prosecutor said. "The rebels usually are not afraid of policemen because their weapons are more sophisticated than these law enforcers." -- With reports from Jose Aravilla, Sandy Araneta, AFP