Saturday, March 5, 2016

One of 2 suspects denies involvement in Saudi cleric's attack

From GMA News (Mar 5): One of 2 suspects denies involvement in Saudi cleric's attack

One of the two suspects detained after the shooting of a popular Saudi cleric and a Saudi diplomat in Zamboanga City denied his involvement in the incident.

In a report by Marisol Abdurahman on Balitanghali on Saturday, Mujer Abubakar said he had no hand in the shooting, and that he was also shocked by the attack.

"Nag-panic ako... 'Di ako nakagalaw," Abubakar said.

Abubakar and another suspect, Junaide Cadir,  were charged with two counts of frustrated murder and attempted murder for the shooting of cleric and author Dr. Aidh bin Abdullah Al-Qarni and diplomat Sheikh Turki Assaegh on March 2.

The victims' attacker identified as Rugasan Misuari III, was killed by local policemen providing security for Al-Qarni.

Al-Qarni and Assaegh had just attended a forum at the Western Mindanao State University and were already in their vehicle when they were repeatedly shot by Misuari on Tuesday.

The two victims have been declared out of harm after undergoing surgery.

Senior Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of the Zamboanga City Police Office, said that the charges were filed against the two suspects were backed by testimonies by several witnesses.

"Dun sa mga testimony na binigay satin ng ating mga witnesses nagsasbai na ito ngang dalawa na nahuli natin ay kasama po ng gunman, at nakita po sila kasama, naguusap before. And nandun din sila during the incident and biglang nagtangkang tumakas," Galvez said.

Galvez added that the police are reviewing the video of the shooting that went viral on social media.

They have not yet identified the motive behind the attack.

There are claims that the attack may be linked with the jihadist Islamic State because al-Qarni is on its hit list.

Members of the Muslim community staged a protest in Metro Manila condemning the attack and calling for justice.

"Kami po ay nananawagan sa ating mahal na pangulo na sana mabigyan ng maagang justice. Itoy' pumunta rito sa pilipinas upang  hikatin ang ating mga kapatid na muslim na magbalik loob sila," one of the protesters said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/557923/news/regions/one-of-2-suspects-denies-involvement-in-saudi-cleric-s-attack

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