Lanao mayor charged with illegal detention

Marantao, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mohammad Ali Abinal was charged with slight illegal detention before the Manila City Regional Trial Court for allegedly abducting a man in Quiapo, Manila in February last year.

Third Assistant Manila City Prosecutor Venus Marzan filed the charges against Abinal for reportedly detaining Tamano Macaraya, a resident of Quiapo, against his will and recommended a P40,000 bail bond for Abinal’s temporary liberty.

Macaraya said that in April 25, 2005, he filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman in Davao against Abinal.

On Feb. 28 the following year, Macaraya said he was walking along Arlegui street in Quiapo when Abinal approached him, embraced him and then told him "not to resist or you will die."

Abinal’s companions reportedly pointed their firearms at Macaraya and pulled him toward a waiting vehicle. Macaraya said they brought him to a house owned by Abinal’s cousin, located along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

He said Abinal and his companions threatened to plant a sachet of shabu on him if he refused to affix his signature to a blank sheet of paper.

After he complied with their demand, Macaraya said they threatened to kill him if reports the incident to the police and if Abinal loses his post as mayor.

Macaraya reported the incident to the Sta. Cruz police station the following day, adding that Abinal’s group had taken P135,000 from his belt bag.

Marzan notified both parties of the scheduled preliminary investigation, but neither of them appeared.

She dismissed the robbery charges since Macaraya failed to explain how and where his bag was stolen and the allegations of physical injuries for lack of evidence. – Evelyn Macairan