Wahab Akbar | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2007 | |
| Member of theHouse of Representatives fromBasilan'sat-large district | |
| In office June 30, 2007 – November 13, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Abdulgani A. Salapuddin |
| Succeeded by | Vacant (Position next held byHadjiman S. Hataman-Salliman) |
| Governor of Basilan | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Vice Governor | Bonnie Balamo (1998–2001) Lukman Ampao (2001–2004) Al-Rasheed Ahmad Sakkalahul (2004–2007) |
| Preceded by | Abdulgani A. Salapuddin |
| Succeeded by | Jum Jainudin Akbar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1960-04-16)April 16, 1960 |
| Died | November 13, 2007(2007-11-13) (aged 47) Quezon City, Philippines |
| Manner of death | Assassination |
| Party | Liberal (2006–2007) |
| Other political affiliations | Lakas (until 2006) |
| Spouse(s) | Jum Jainudin Akbar (first wife) Cherrylyn Akbar (second wife) Nur-in Akbar (third wife) Marietta Zamoranos (fourth wife) Unidentified Syrian woman (fifth wife) |
| Alma mater | De La Salle Araneta University |
| Occupation | Politician |
Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar (April 16, 1960 – November 13, 2007) was aFilipino politician who served three terms as governor ofBasilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers and terrorists in the province.[1] He was later elected as congressman for thelone district of Basilan in theHouse of Representatives, but was one of 4 people killed in abomb attack at the Batasang Pambansa. Police publicly suspected the attack was directed at him by political opponents.[2]
Wahab Akbar was born inLantawan,Basilan where his father, Hadji Mohtamad Salajin, served as the town's first mayor.[3] At age 11 Akbar joined his father to fight in the mountains, but after three years Salajin was persuaded to join the government and was appointed mayor of Lantawan by PresidentFerdinand Marcos.
He studiedagriculture at Gregorio Araneta University (nowDe La Salle Araneta University),[3] but did not finish.[4] A member of theLiberal Party, Akbar was first elected governor ofBasilan in the1998 elections. He was reelected in2001 and2004.
Akbar was constitutionally barred from seeking a fourth consecutive term as governor. Instead, he successfully soughtelection to theCongress, representing thelone district of his home province. One of his wives won the election to succeed him as governor.[5] Another of his wives is mayor of the provincial capital,Isabela City; A third wife ran, and lost, the race to be mayor of another city in Basilan.[5]
He was strongly suspected of having ties with theAbu Sayyaf, an Islamic extremist group linked toAl Qaeda, with some reports even claiming that he was a founding member and a commander until a falling-out with the group.[5]
He was married to first wifeJum Jainnudin, second wifeCherry Lyn Santos, third wife Nur-in Akbar, fourth wife Marietta Zamoranos, and fifth wife who is a Syrian.
On November 13, 2007, Akbar died at theFar Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Medical Center[6][7] from injuries sustained following anexplosion at the House of Representatives in the Batasang Pambansa complex.[8] The blast also immediately killed the driver of another legislator.[8] Three other congressional staff members would die from blast injuries, including one of Akbar's own aides.
According toNational Capital RegionPolice Office chief, Director Geary Barias, Akbar could have been the target of the bombing, since his vehicle bore the brunt of the damage.[9]
The next day, his body was brought toBasilan viaZamboanga City. His body was brought to the respective houses of his first two wives before being buried in front of his mansion in Barangay Sumagdang,Isabela which was then under construction.[10]
On December 14, 2007, in two-page resolution, theSupreme Court of the Philippines issued awrit of habeas corpus on petition of suspects Caidar Aunal, Adham Kusain, and Ikram Indama. It required the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), National Capital Region-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (NCR-CIDU) and the PNP Custodial Center to file returns beforeQuezon City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Romeo Zamora on December 18.[11] However, the family suspected that the head of the killing was close ally of Senator and future PresidentBenigno Aquino III andAnak Mindanao RepresentativeMujiv Hataman.
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