Zamboanga City:
Frustrated murder charges were filed against an Abu Sayyaf member who was
tagged as the main suspect in an explosion in a massage parlor early this
month.
The
said explosion at the De Luxe Massage and Karaoke Bar in downtown Zamboanga injured
a K-9 and his handler during a survey of the premises.
ZCPO
spokesperson Supt. Ariel Huesca named the suspect as Muammar Askalani, also
known as “Abu Ramy,” a resident of Jolo Sulu.
Police
believe it was Askalani’s main intention to put out into action bomb personnel
who would rush to the scene of the crime during such incidents.
ZCPO
said Askalani was definitely identified by four witnesses based on an ASG rogues
gallery presented by police.
Askalani
was reportedly recognized by a witness as the one who purchased the rice
container where the device was placed.
Another
witness also said Askalani ordered softdrinks from the bar attendant and later
left the rice container inside the establishment.
A
report from the Western Mindanao Command said the explosion may have been an
ASG diversionary tactics to thwart ongoing military operations in the provinces
of Basilan and Sulu.