Manila (AsiaNews) – The bomb which yesterday killed the Muslim deputy Wahab Akbar “could have multiple authors, and many causes. It’s not possible to clearly read into what happened, or indicate those responsible: the only thing that is certain is that whoever placed the bomb was targeting him”. This was the comment given to AsiaNews by Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions’ Fr. Giulio Mariani, who is a missionary in the Philippines and expert on the nation.
Akbar, continues Fr. Mariani, “was suspected by many to be if not the founder, then a strong leader of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group [“Bearers of the sword” in local dialect and considered the Philippine branch of al-Qaeda ed]. Moreover many saw him as opposed to the peace negotiations between the government and the separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf)”.
And yet, he adds, “it must not be forgotten that his political weight made him many enemies. He won parliamentary elections by a landslide majority; one of his wives is governor of Basilan province, while a second wife is mayor of the province’ capital. This success was cause for fear within Philippine political circles”.
Despite this “his role was never clear and above board. What is known is that he was involved in negotiations for the release of Fr. Luciano Benedetti, the PIME missionary kidnapped in 1998 in Sibuco (Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao island) and released on November 16 after 68 days in prison. And yet we never really understood whose side he was on”.
In the light of these facts, he concludes, “it is impossible to give a face or name to the authors of the attack; perhaps only after a long and in-depth police investigation”. Indeed, Manila’s public security officials confirmed that they have found remnants of the bomb, strapped to a motorbike parked next to the deputy’s car, and a cellular phone used as a detonator. But the police refused to indicate the possible authors of the attack, which cost the lives of another two people.
According to many local dailies “the hand of MILF is behind the attack. Tired of being discriminated against because of Abu Sayyaf’s policies, the group wanted to send out a clear signal to the militants, that the armed struggle has not been abandoned yet”. The movement’s leader has not responded to these theories so far, limiting himself to commenting on the re-start of peace negotiations today with the government, which seems open to agreement on their territorial claims.