Bail denial for Isnajis welcomed

MANILA, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) welcomed the decision of a Pasig City judge denying the petition for bail of former Indanan, Sulu mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider who were tagged in the abduction of broadcaster Ces Drilon, her two cameramen, and a professor in June 2008.

CIDG chief Director Raul Castañeda said justice is at hand and may finally be served with the denial of bail for father and son who are facing kidnapping charges.

Senior Inspector Emely Trinidad, CIDG lead investigator and legal officer of the case, also expressed optimism that Drilon and her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderrama would get justice.

“Our justice system is working fair and square with bias toward none, and we pray that soon the aggrieved mediamen will find rightful justice for the fate they suffered,” Trinidad said.

The CIDG recommended the filing of charges against the Isnajis for the kidnapping of Drilon and her crewmen, who were released on June 18 last year after 10 days in captivity.

Pasig City Judge Esperanza Cortez of Branch 271 said the test is not whether the evidence establishes guilt beyond reasonable doubt but whether it shows evidence of guilt or presumption of guilt.

Cortez said the court is ministerially bound to decide which circumstances and factors are present which would show guilt or presumption of guilt.

The Isnajis maintained that they had nothing to do with the kidnapping and that they should instead be praised for working out the release of Drilon’s group.

The kidnapping ended only after some P20 million in ransom was reportedly paid.