Walter Ancheta Villanueva alias Abdulwali Villanueva, 30, surrendered to agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at around 4:30 a.m. yesterday, accompanied by the action star. He was subsequently turned over to the Philippine National Police’s anti-terror task force Sanglahi.
In tears, Villanueva was shown on television bidding goodbye to his wife, Minah, who had just given birth in Manila.
According to Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez of the CIDG, Villanueva’s surrender was coordinated by Padilla through Senior Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala, newly-designated head of the Salaam police.
Gutierrez said the suspect was identified as a henchman of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani. He was also allegedly tasked to videotape the activities of the group.
Police presented Villanueva a copy of a warrant of arrest for 52 counts of kidnapping when the group abducted Christian teachers and school children in Basilan in March 2000.
PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Joel Goltiao debunked claims by Padilla that Villanueva was innocent of the charges.
"They are not together 24 hours a day. A warrant of arrest would not have been issued if there was no evidence," Goltiao said.
Villanueva was arrested along with Marvin Rueda last March 28 when he was about to deliver components believed to be used for the manufacture of explosives in Fairview, Quezon City on March 28.