AFP charges Spaniard with illegal possession of firearms, explosives

January 24, 2018

The Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday filed before the Department of Justice criminal charges against a suspected terrorist arrested in a checkpoint in Basilan.

The military charged Spanish national Abdelhakim Labidi Adib, 20, with illegal possession of firearms, after he was allegedly with a backpack containing a hand grenade, one rifle grenade, a cellular phone used as a detonating device, credit card, identification card, passport and cash worth P8,520.

Adib’s arrest came after the AFP’s 14th Special Forces Company received intelligence information that two suspicious personalities, one believed to be a foreigner, were to pass Barangay Townsite in Maluso, Basilan.

The foreign national was arrested at the military checkpoint in Barangay Townsite on Jan. 22 while his companion, a member of the Abu Sayyaf group, was able to escape.

The military said Adib arrived in the country last Oct 10 last year and his tourist visa was valid until Dec. 8.

Adib underwent inquest proceedings before Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong and Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan Parrocha.

Adib said accusations against him were false and he would provide evidence to prove his innocence.

Adib’s counsel from the Public Attorneys Office said the respondent sought to file a waiver of detention and undergo a preliminary investigation to answer the allegations against him. DMS