ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- The Akbars in Basilan have expressed dismay upon learning that Ikram Indama, the family’s star witness in the murder of Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar in 2007, is missing.

The family and relatives of the slain Muslim congressman were banking on Indama to buttress the case against former Basilan Representative Abdulgani Salapuddin, who has been tagged in the murder.

Basilan Governor Jum Akbar said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group should explain why Indama escaped from its custody.

The lady governor said Indama knew who was behind the Batasan bombing that killed Akbar and three congressional staff, aside from wounding two members of Congress

"Hindi ko lang maintindihan bakit nakatakas siya o nawawala sa loob ng CIDG (I just don’t understand how he could escape or how he could disappear from CIDG," she said.

She said that while Indama's escape could affect their case against Salapuddin, their lawyers had gathered "sufficient evidence" to win the case.

Lantawan Mayor Tahira Ismael, a niece of the late congressman and the official spokesperson of the Akbar's family, agreed, expressing confidence that Indama’s disappearance would not weaken their case against Salapuddin.

"We have a good lawyer," she said.