March 29, 2024

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) lauded the Baguio City Police Office for identifying and filing a case of murder against the alleged gunman of popular Muslim cleric Bedejim Abdullah in 2018.
BCPO charged in absentia suspect Joselito Fernando Vidad, a former military serviceman, who allegedly attacked and gunned down Abdullah in broad daylight outside an Islamic educational institution at Kayang Street in Baguio on Dec. 6, 2018.
The yearlong investigation by BCPO paved the way for the filing of case against Vidad, who was captured on surveillance cameras while fleeing after killing Abdullah.
To mislead police investigators, Vidad, who wore layers of clothing, removed his black jacket with hood while fleeing the crime scene. Another CCTV footage showed that he was wearing a gray shirt while casually walking with pedestrians away from the crime scene.
But a witness positively helped police investigators in establishing the identity of Vidad.
Based on the posts of NCMF on its official social media page, Vidad was issued a firearm license card and a permit to carry firearm outside of residence several years ago.
NCMF also posted several identification cards of Vidad showing logos of the Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association, Inc. and the AFPFC Multipurpose Cooperative that alleged he was a retired enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with a rank of staff sergeant.
Reports said BCPO Director, Col. Allen Rae Co, said Vidad could have a grudge against Abdullah, one of the most well-known imams in the Cordillera.
Another imam close to Abdullah once shared that the slain cleric had been receiving threats from a fundamentalist Islamic group. – Harley F. Palangchao