THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has started the preliminary investigation into the complaint for violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 filed against 15 individuals in connection with the rocket-propelled grenade attack on the convoy of Mayor Akmad ‘Mitra’ Ampatuan Sr. of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, in January which injured two individuals.
Ampatuan, through his lawyer Cyrus Torreña, said the complaint for violation of the anti-terrorism law as filed by the National Police (PNP) against the respondents following a case build-up.
Named as respondents in the complaint were Asrap Maidu Pendatun, Danny Mamalak Pendatun, Puasa Yasilon Aminon, Ababang Salik, Edad Pendatun, Aboher Guiambangan, Toraipie Lusod, Gapor Magaluyan, Datu Andal ‘Xyril’ Ampatuan, Mohammad Sharon Uday Sapalon, Samsudin Mokamad, Saudi Guiapal, Johari Guiapal, Soy Kali, Datuben Gayon and several ‘John and Jane Does.’
The mayor, who claimed that there were already five attempts to kill him, personally appeared before the DOJ panel during the preliminary investigation on Monday.
Torreña said a complaint for violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act ws filed against the respondents because the ambush sowed fear among the residents owing to use of an RPG.
‘Terrorism, because the primary element of our anti-terror law, is that it must sow fear. In other words, it plants fear among ordinary citizens,’ Torreña said.
‘In the ambush on the mayor using an RPG, it was no longer an ordinary situation. Sometimes, we only see that in movies, but it turns out it was not a movie – it had actually become a real incident,’ he added.
Torreña noted that only 10 of the respondents were represented by a legal counsel during the proceedings while three of the respondents have passed away.
The lawyer noted that none of the respondents have filed their respective counter-affidavits during Monday’s preliminary investigation.
The DOJ has given the respondents until May 26 to submit their counter-affidavits.