Groups assail Muslim leader’s slay; probe on

BAGUIO CITY – Groups condemned the killing of Muslim preacher Imam Bedejim Abdullah who was gunned down at broad day light here on Dec. 6 at Kayang Street.  

               “Special Investigation Task Group Bedejim is still probing the slay, city police director Senior Supt. Eliseo Tanding said, adding the crime rocked this summer capital.

                “Nakakalungkot na ang City of Baguio which was recently conferred as the sixth safest city in Southeast Asia recorded this incident,”Tanding said during  press briefing.

“But still Baguio is safe; this is an isolated incident,” he said

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan condemned the killing incident of one of the partners of the city in having a good relationship between the Muslim and the Christians in Baguio. 

 “We condemn the killing of Imam Bedejim Abdullah. We directed immediately the BCPO to form the task force to conduct all the necessary investigations and find out who are those perpetrators of this heinous crime committed in the city of Baguio and bring them to the arms of the law,” Domogan said in a video message posted on his social media page.

The Philippine Military Academy also released a press statement condemning the killing of Abdullah, who served as a Muslim cleric in the institution.

 “The PMA family along with its graduates condemns the killing of Imam Bedejim. The Philippine Military Academy recognizes and appreciates his effort for almost seventeen years of invaluable support to the command for his altruistic involvement and participation especially to the Muslim Community of this command in providing religious and moral values program in support to the Character Development of the cadets,”   the press statement read.

The body of Abdullah was brought to a Muslim cemetery in Bulacan several hours after his death following the culture and tradition of the Muslims. -- RMC –PIA CAR