THE three alleged members of terrorist group Maute tagged in the bloody Sept. 2 bombing in Davao City have denied the charges of illegal possession of explosives and firearms.
During the preliminary investigation hearing at the Department of Justice, respondents—TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan, and Musali Mustapha—filed their respective counter-affidavits denying they possessed explosives and firearms when arrested in Cotabato City last week.
They claimed they were not travelling together and driving different motorcycles when arrested by authorities, contrary to allegations in the joint complaint of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Some 15 people died while 69 others were badly injured in the nightg explosion.
According to them, there was no checkpoint in the area where they were serately arrested last Oct. 4 and 5.
The suspects appealed to the DoJ prosecution panel headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong to dismiss the charges for violations of Republic Act 9516.
The answers prepared by their lawyer Ma. Elisa Barquez made no denial, nor mentioned their alleged roles in the Davao bombing, subject of another pending preliminary investigation in the Davao City prosecutor’s office.
Lawyers of the PA and CIDG wanted to file their reply to the answers, but the prosecutors did not allow them because hearing on the case stemming from inquest proceedings only have 15 days to be completed.
The DOJ then submitted the case for resolution.
Lawyers of the PA and CIDG said they werew considering the inclusion of the three suspects among respondents in the charges involving the Davao bombing, citing evidence gathered against them.