Arrested bombing suspect back in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 17, 2012) – An arrested human rights activist accused in the failed assassination of a prominent Muslim politician in the southern Philippines were flown Tuesday to Zamboanga City to face criminal charges in Sulu province.

Timogen Tulawie, alias Cocoy, who was arrested last week during a joint police and military operation in his hideout in Davao City, would be sent back to Sulu where he is wanted by the authorities in connection to a roadside bombing in May 2009 that targeted the provincial governor Sakur Tan.

Military and police agents escorted Tulawie back to Zamboanga and he is now being held by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police.

Sulu Judge Leo Principe has issued an arrest warrant on Tulawie.

Zamboanga city prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron said two suspected Abu Sayyaf who were arrested in Sulu in connection to the attack on Tan’s convoy implicated Tulawie, who denied all accusations against him.

Solaiman Mohamad Muin and Julhan Albani Alihuddin, who were captured in Sulu following a clash, pointed to the activist as the alleged brain in the failed assassination attempt on Tan.

Tulawie, who ran but lost in the 2007 congressional elections, was linked by the police to the August 2010 bombing at the arrival area of the Zamboanga City International Airport that also targeted Tan and members of his family.

Two persons were killed, including the man who brought the bomb while dozens were wounded in the incident, including Tan.

Leftist and human rights groups have defended Tulawie, saying he is innocent on all the charges against him.

Sulu police chief Antonio Freyra said no bail was recommended for Tulawie, who escaped a police raid in 2009 in the province. “Tulawie has to face all the criminal charges against him,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)