AFP open to reinvestigation of kidnap-slay case vs Sayyaf men

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military said yesterday it is open to a reinvestigation of the cases against suspected Abu Sayyaf members tagged in the kidnapping of six members of the Jehovah’s Witness in 2002 in Patikul town, Sulu, where two of the victims were beheaded.

Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 266 Judge Toribio Ilao Jr. ordered a reinvestigation following the request of some of the accused, who claimed they were fall guys. 

Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief, said they would cooperate in the reinvestigation.

“We have nothing to hide,” Burgos said. 

The suspects are currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. 

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officer-in-charge Mujiv Hataman earlier wrote President Aquino on the “indiscriminate” arrest of his constituents in Basilan province by military intelligence and police operatives. 

Hataman cited Romy Sumanpil, cousin of Basilan Association of Barangay Council chairman Manan Sumanpil, who was among those arrested. 

The barangay captain of Lantawan, a member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit was also arrested for the 2002 kidnapping.

 Hataman said the rush to arrest suspects could be due to the reward offered by the government, which he also sought to be investigated.