Former Sulu District 2 Congressman Munir Arbison yesterday appealed to police authorities investigating the August 5, 2010 bombing at the Zamboanga City Airport to conduct a much deeper probe on the case as he disclosed that his legal counsels are now readying the sworn statements of credible persons who are willing to testify that some of the witnesses were paid and coaxed into executing confessions implicating him.

In a press briefing held yesterday at his residence in Guiwan, this city, Arbison said that several persons have voluntarily come to him and manifested their intention to refute the allegations and accusations made by four supposed witnesses who have implicated him in the airport bombing.

“We now have credible persons who will testify that the four witnesses of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were paid and coaxed into executing statements implicating me,” Arbison stressed during the press conference.

The former congressman said that it is incumbent upon all concerned investigating bodies to conduct a deeper and comprehensive probe on the case by especially zeroing in on the personalities and motives of the witnesses given the allegations that the four witnesses have received huge sum of money just to implicate him.

“Again, I vehemently denied any involvement in the said airport bombing. I am responsible family man with many children and I can never do that kind or horrible thing,” Arbison stressed.

He also lamented the fact that the case has already been sensationalized, and thus has already tarnished the good reputation of his family and relatives.

“In fact, we did not yet receive subpoenas, but we are already experiencing trial by publicity,” Arbison pointed out.

The congressman also did not rule out the possibility that his implication to the case is politically motivated.

He also appealed toZamboanga City Mayor Celso L. Lobregat and Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Edwin Corvera, Task Force ZIA head Sr. Supt. Edwin Diocos to exert utmost best in the conduct of a deeper probe.

“For all we know the real people behind this bloody incident are laughing on us all since the innocent people are now the ones being charged,” Arbision said.