Abus face beheading charges

Abu Sayyaf terrorists led by Khadaffy Janjalani will face criminal charges in court for the beheading of a barangay chairman and his son in Maluso, Basilan in 1994.

Director Nestorio Gualberto, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said a former Abu Sayyaf captive had admitted decapitating Solomon and Jonathan Mayang upon the prodding of the bandits.

"We learned of other beheadings by the bandits following the surrender of alias Jun (Alfredo Peñaflor) to the local authorities," he said.

Gualberto said Peñaflor told Zamboanga City police investigators he beheaded the Mayangs with the help of a certain Baylon "Junie" Abines.

Peñaflor and Abines were among five land surveyors whom the Abu Sayyaf snatched at Campo Uno in Sumisip, Basilan on Nov. 18, 1994, he added.

Quoting Peñaflor, Gualberto said the Abu Sayyaf also beheaded three hunters – Restituto Balansag, Richard Pelaez, and Donato Roda – after they were captured in Upper Mahayahay, Maluso town on Christmas Eve in 1994.

"They were hogtied and questioned and soon after that the four were beheaded," Peñaflor was quoted as saying to Zamboanga City police.

However, Peñaflor said Roda survived the ordeal when he pretended to be dead after being hacked on the neck and sustaining only superficial wounds.

Gualberto said the Mayangs were traveling on a motorcycle in Upper Mahayahay on Christmas Day on 1994 when they were snatched by the Abu Sayyaf.

Gualberto said the following will be charged: Janjalani, Jovenal Bruno, Idris Jal, Benhar Nurani, Balling Samlah, Karim Akmanul, Amikum Bohong, Kallam Saddipin, Eddie Lejana and Upat Mata.

The charges will be filed by the CIDG regional office in Southern Mindanao, he added.

Gualberto did not say if Peñaflor and Abines will also be charged in court.

Police investigators are trying to unearth other atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf so the entire nation may know that they are a bunch of cutthroats, he added. –Jaime Laude