Honasan supporter hunted

A campaign coordinator of Senatorial candidate Gregorio Honasan is being hunted down by the police for the abduction of a minor last Friday in Makati City.

Twenty-three-year-old Joene Samiliano of 154 Guijo St., Barangay Cambo, Makati reported before the Women and Children’s Desk of the Makati police that the abduction of his younger sister Jenalyn, 17, took place right before his eyes yesterday afternoon.

The suspect was identified as Fernando "Nanding" Sinang, 54, married of 510 Mabolo St., Cembo, said to be a political coordinator of Honasan. According to Joene, his sister met the suspect two months ago while she was looking for a job.

Neighbors of the Samilianos urged Jenalyn to try her luck with Sinang who was looking for volunteers to help in the campaign of Honasan.

The victim managed to secure a job with Sinang which caused a lot of anxiety to her family, Joene said.

He explained that his sister would occasionally go home very late or not at all reportedly after joining the campaign sorties of the Pwersa ng Masa senatorial candidates.

Sensing that something was wrong, the victim was directed by her brother to go back home to their province in Negros Occidental and finish her studies.

It was only after she was sent home that Jenalyn’s family met Sinang who came looking for her at the Samiliano’s residence in Cambo.

After less than a month the victim was back in Manila upon the advice of Sinang. Sinang wrote a letter to Jenalyn in Negros asking her to return to Manila with the assurance of a job as a saleslady. A recommendation from the Senate office of Honasan was attached to the letter.

Acting on his instincts, the victim’s brother followed the suspect and his sister last Friday until they reached a fastfood joint along EDSA.

While the suspect was ordering food, Joene went inside and tried to pull his sister. However, Sinang was quick to react and snatched Jenalyn away from her brother, took off and boarded a bus along EDSA.

The elder Samiliano was left shocked by the brazenness of the suspect and failed to take action even though there was a nearby police precinct. The incident of Samiliano was reportedly only one of several cases involving Sinang who now faces a charge of abduction of a minor. – Marvin Sy