An alleged terrorist identified as Abdelhakim Labidi Adib, a Spanish national, arrives at the Department of Justice in Manila for an inquest procedure on Wednesday. He was arrested on January 22, 2018, at a checkpoint in Barangay Maluso, Basilan. Found in his possession were a rifle and hand grenade, numerous identification cards, cell phones, blasting caps and detonating devices. ABS-CBN News
MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the indictment of the suspected Spanish terrorist arrested in Basilan last month.
A resolution issued by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong and Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan Parrocha said there is probable cause to charge 20-year old Abdelhakim Labidi Adib before a trial court for three counts of illegal possession of explosives.
Adib was nabbed on January 22 in possession of improvised explosives devices (IEDs), two grenades, and various IED components upon his arrest at a checkpoint in Barangay Townsite, Maluso town, the military said.
He was brought to the DOJ main office in Manila to undergo inquest proceedings, where he sought the conduct of a full-blown preliminary investigation.
“After a careful review and evaluation of the evidence submitted by the parties, the undersigned find probable cause to charge respondent Abdelhakim Labidi Adib, for three counts of violation of Section 3 of P.D. No. 1866, as amended by Section 1 of RA No. 9516 (on illegal, unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives),” the eight-page resolution read.
“The mere possession of the above articles constitutes prima facie evidence that respondent had knowledge of the existence and the explosive or incendiary character of the articles,” it added.
The DOJ also stressed Adib’s arrest and the recovery of the explosives “are justified.”
“Considering that the arrest of respondent was brought about by his suspicious reactions of attempting to flee and throw away the bag he was carrying, the same (Adib’s arrest) is justified. Consequently, the search on his bag is valid, as it was made pursuant to a lawful arrest,” the resolution read.
Adib is an overstaying alien: he arrived in the Philippines from Switzerland on October 10, 2017 but his visa expired on Dec. 8. He also traveled to Tunisia and Morocco, based on stamps on his passport.
During the preliminary investigation into the case, Adib admitted going to the jungles of Basilan with a certain “Abuzaid” or “Abuzayd” purportedly to visit the latter’s tribe. Adib denied he owned the seized explosives, and explained he came to the Philippines to marry a Filipina.