43 suspects in deadly Philippine bombings face criminal charges
Murder complaints were filed against 18 suspected members of Abu Sayyaf for an attack in July while 25 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were charged for an explosion in August
Criminal complaints have been filed against 43 Muslim militants from two armed groups linked to Islamic State for two bomb attacks in the southern Philippines, including a suspected suicide bombing that killed 11 people, police said on Monday.
Murder complaints were filed against 18 suspected members of Abu Sayyaf for a powerful blast on July 31 that killed 11 people and wounded several others in Lamitan city on Basilan island, said Director General Oscar Albayalde, the national police chief. A foreign militant who drove the bomb-laden van died in the suspected suicide attack.
Among those facing charges is an Abu Sayyaf commander, Furuji Indama, who Albayalde said ordered the bombing but remains at large along with nine other suspects.
Eight suspects, including a militant bomb expert, Julamin Arundoh, who police said rigged the van with plastic gallons containing the explosives, have been captured.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said the foreign militant who drove the van targeted a public gathering of about 3,000 people in Lamitan city but his vehicle stalled and villagers whom he asked for help became suspicious when they saw unusual wires protruding from plastic gallons in the vehicle.
