Court acquits mayor, son in Ces Drilon kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines - A local court yesterday acquitted former Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, in the kidnapping of an ABS-CBN news team in June 2008, according to a report yesterday by ABS- CBN’s cable news channel ANC.

ANC said the Taguig Regional Trial Court acquitted the Isnajis for the kidnapping of ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Drilon and her crew by suspected Abu-Sayyaf members while on assignment in Sulu on June 2008.

The Isnajis aided in the negotiations but were later charged and arrested for allegedly assisting the kidnappers.

In an interview with ANC, private prosecutor Vince Bayhon said he will appeal the decision before the Court of Appeals after the judge failed to consider some of the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Bayhon said among the evidence they presented before the court was an Anti-Money Laundering Council report, detailing the bank accounts of the Isnajis.

He said a separate court even denied the bail petition of the Isnajis.

ANC said Bayhon expressed confidence that the decision could be questioned because of procedural lapses on the part of the judge.

Bayhon said that the last hearing was held last March 15, and the Isnajis were permitted to present their witnesses and evidence.

He also said the prosecutors were waiting for an order from the court admitting the evidence so that prosecutors could challenge it.

“Procedurally speaking, we are supposed to be given a chance to question the order but since we didn’t receive the notice, we weren’t given a chance to question it,” Bayhon told ANC.

“We raised some objection but the court proceeded with the promulgation,” he said.

Bayhon said the Isnajis could go free unless a judge issues a temporary restraining order halting their release.

He also said Mayor Isnaji is running for office and might go back to Sulu.