MANILA -- Government lawyers filed criminal charges Wednesday before the Jolo Regional Trial Court (RTC) against five suspects in the Jolo cathedral bombing.
"The information was filed at the RTC in Jolo. The evidence and witnesses necessary to prosecute the case are in Jolo. Hence, it would be more efficient to hold trial there unless compelling reasons exist for the transfer of trial to Manila," Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Markk Perete told newsmen.
"As of now, we have yet to receive any request from our prosecutor to effect such transfer," he added.
Perete said Provincial Prosecutor Rommel Cancio filed an information for the complex crime of multiple murder with multiple frustrated murder against Mukammar L. Pay alias Kammah; Albaji K. Gadjali alias Apah; Radjan B. Gadjaliq, Kaiser Gadjali and Said Alih.
Authorities earlier said seven other identified suspects and several John and Jane Does are still at large.
The suspects have been named respondents in the cases for 23 counts of murder, frustrated murder and damage to property filed by the Sulu Police Provincial Office. (With Francesca Fajardo, OJT/ PNA)
