Suspected ASG member to undergo preliminary probe at DOJ

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 26, 2019): Suspected ASG member to undergo preliminary probe at DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to conduct a preliminary investigation against a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group (ASG) who was captured in Sulu last week.

Assistant State Prosecutor Ethel Rea Suril has scheduled this Thursday the start of the preliminary investigation over the complaint filed against suspected ASG member Karah Musa Salapuddin, 49, alias Cesar, a Tausug who hails from Tungkil, Jolo Sulu.

With this, Salupuddin has been directed to file a counter-affidavit that day in response to the accusations against him.

The complaint was filed by the Major Crimes Unit of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) on Thursday during inquest proceedings at the DOJ.

Under the complaint, Salapuddin is accused of frustrated multiple murder under Article 248 in relation to Article 6 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); illegal possession of explosives and other paraphernalia under Republic Act (RA) No. 9516; and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under RA No. 10561.

During the proceedings last week, Salapuddin told the prosecutor that he has opted to undergo preliminary investigation and, because of this, signed a waiver of the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code that penalizes delay in the delivery of a detained person to the proper judicial authorities.

The complaint indicated that the military arrested Salapuddin following offenses committed in Barangay Kabahayan, Sinisa Island, Panglima, Banguingui, Sulu last March 15.

However, Suril declined to give any more details of the case.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/26/suspected-asg-member-to-undergo-preliminary-probe-at-doj/