Two suspects in the so-called Rizal Day bombings in 2000 were acquitted yesterday by a Manila court after no hard evidence was found to pin them down to the charges.

In a 59-page resolution issued by Presiding Judge Jaime Santiago of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 3, he ordered the acquittal of Alvin Kadul and Remedios Habin, who were charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1866, as amended by Section 1, RA 9516. and Sec. 28(a) in relation to Sec. (e-1) of RA 10591.

Kadul and Habin were among those arrested in connection with five simultaneous bombing incidents on 30 December 2000, which claimed casualties.

Bombs exploded within an LRT carriage, inside a bus traveling on EDSA, at Plaza Ferguson near the US Embassy, and at a gasoline station in Makati City. An undetonated explosive was found at the cargo handling area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In acquitting the suspects, Judge Santiago said in his decision, "It would be a serious mistake to send an innocent man to jail where such kind of doubt hangs on to one's inner being like a piece of meat lodged immovable between the teeth."

The court also ordered the release of a Toyota Fortuner to Habin, the registered owner of the vehicle.

The court found the police failed to prove the involvement of Kadul and Habin, saying it was only a "fishing expedition." It pointed out the operation had no warrant of arrest and that there was a five-hour lapse that turned into a search on the vehicle for bombing materials.