CIDG: Biyaw now a suspect in ABS-CBN crew kidnap case

MANILA, Philippines – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has included supposed military agent Juamil “Mameng” Biyaw among the suspects in the kidnapping for ransom of Ces Drilon, her ABS-CBN cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo last June 8.

Senior Superintendent Joel Napoleon Coronel, chief investigator of the kidnapping for ransom case, said he would inform the prosecution panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that Biyaw is now considered a suspect.

“He (Biyaw) admitted that he was the one who guided the ABS-CBN news team to Indanan, Sulu and was the one who arranged the meeting at the Adjid River near Indanan. For that we would include him also as a suspect and participant in the kidnapping for ransom,” said Coronel.

When asked if Biyaw would become a state witness, Coronel said the decision would depend on the recommendation of the DOJ.

Under the law, an individual who is charged for a crime can be considered a state witness or testify against his cohorts if he is the least guilty among the group.

Police have, so far, filed kidnap for ransom charges against Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider; Sulayman Pattah, alias Abu Harris; Walid alias Tuan Wals; and several others who were identified through their aliases as Seding; Amrin; Adzker; Bas; Bakrin; Rihim; James; and Tawing. Three other suspects remain unidentified.

Only the Isnajis are detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Coronel said a case conference was held yesterday afternoon at the CIDG to prepare them for the continuation of the preliminary investigation on Friday, particularly on the proposal to expound clarificatory questions on the witnesses on Friday.

The Isnajis have questioned the legality of their arrest and have also denied their involvement in the kidnapping for ransom incident.

“We are going to present evidence to refute their allegations,” Coronel added. “The pieces of evidence include the statement of Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidullah that corroborated Drilon’s statement that during the course of the negotiation the kidnappers insisted that mayor Isnaji is designated as their negotiator.”

On the legality of the arrest, Coronel said the Isnajis were invited to the debriefing for their vital role in the negotiation and subsequent release of the victims but he had been deliberately misleading investigators, giving inconsistent statements, and trying to cover up for the actual incident that took place.

Coronel said Sahidullah also established and attested to the fact that P5-million ransom was delivered to the house of Mayor Isnaji.

“Drilon noted that in the course of the negotiation for the release of the hostages, it was clearly shown that the Isnajis never acted for the interest of the hostages and in fact, it would appear that he was negotiating for the increase in ransom payment rather than the safe release of the hostages,” he added.

Aside from the statement of victims and witnesses, police added that they would also present video footage of the actual kidnapping taken by Encarnacion.

“Encarnacion was able to record surreptitiously the movement of the kidnappers while they were in captivity,” Coronel added.

The CIDG is still assessing the case of Dinampo, who issued three statements; the third was in support of the Isnajis.

“We are reviewing the supplemental affidavit of Dinampo, actually his third affidavit, and we are trying to determine the inconsistencies with those he had previously given to us… and if we find any inconsistency in his affidavit, we might consider him as a suspect also in the kidnapping case,” said Coronel. “Bear in mind that he was the one who arranged the interview with Radullan Sahiron and he was the one acting as intermediary for the ABS-CBN crew. He was the one who asked the ABS-CBN news team to proceed to Sulu. There is no definite pronouncement if he will be included as a suspect.”

Meanwhile, the group behind the kidnapping of Drilon and her three companions have not slipped out of Sulu province, contrary to earlier reports, after they were sighted in the island’s mountains, a police official said.

“There were sightings. The kidnappers were seen by villagers very mobile to evade police operation,” Sulu provincial police director Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim said.

However, Kasim said the police and Marines are exhausting all efforts to entrap the escaping group.

The kidnappers were monitored moving and sometimes mingling with residents in populated areas to avoid the military operation.

The authorities also confirmed that they have yet to receive the warrant of arrest for the suspects in the Drilon kidnapping.

Kasim said the CIDG have to formally file the case in court before they could receive copies of the warrant of arrest.

“Once we have the warrant of arrest it will give our operation more teeth to get the kidnappers,” Kasim said.

But he stressed that even without the warrant the hunt for the kidnappers proceeds uninterrupted and has been relentless.  – With Roel Pareño