Robin’s bodyguard released

After a delay of 24 hours, suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorist Walter Villanueva was released from jail after his pregnant wife, Hana, paid a P304,000 bail bond.

Villanueva, a Muslim convert, adopted the name Abdulwali. He is a bodyguard of action star Robin Padilla, who has also converted to Islam and carries the Muslim name Abdul Aziz.

Hana told reporters that the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Task Force (PACER) refused to release her husband despite an order from the Quezon City regional trial court.

In an interview, Hana said she personally arranged the payment of a P304,000 bail bond for her husband’s temporary liberty after he was charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban by the police.

"I (was) made to wait the whole day (Tuesday) and still they had not released my husband to me when I came to fetch him," she said.

On Tuesday, Hana left the Camp Crame detention center where her husband was held after she was shooed away by policemen guarding Villanueva, who was released shortly before 3 p.m. yesterday.

Quezon City Judge Teresa de Guzman recommended a P200,000 bail bond for the illegal possession of firearms charges against Villanueva, while Judge Evelyn Cabochan sought P20,000 in bail for the illegal possession of explosives charges and judge Fatima Gonzales Astala set the bail bond for the Comelec gun ban violation charges at P24,000.

Hana’s statement contradicts the one made by PNP Intelligence Group director Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, who said Villanueva would be released as soon as the PNP received a court order to that effect.

Villanueva was one of six Muslims arrested on suspicion that they were Abu Sayyaf bandits plotting to bomb Manila on a scale similar to the recent bomb attacks in Madrid, Spain.

Villanueva allegedly had 10 to 12 kilos of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in his possession when intelligence agents arrested him near the SM mall in Fairview, Quezon City, Rafanan said.

Rafanan also said the rest of some 51 kilos of TNT were confiscated from suspected Abu Sayyaf cell leader Alhamsar Manatad Limbong, alias Kosovo and suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits Redendo Cain Dellosa, Abdulrasid Banjeng, alias Abu Haifa; and Radzmar Sangkula Jul Hassa, alias Michael Saavedra.

Villanueva is believed to be the explosives supplier of Limbong.

Rafanan said the lack of stringent measures against illegal possession of explosives under Philippine laws was the reason why suspected terrorists are easily able to gain their freedom even after they are arrested.

"That is the law," Rafanan said. "The (illegal) possession of explosives, no matter how much (explosive is found in the possession of the suspect) is (a) bailable offense."

He also belied reports that Villanueva’s release was triggered by the "negotiations" between Padilla and the President Tuesday. "It is not because of Robin’s (intervention)," he said.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye also sought to dismiss speculations that President Arroyo met with actor Padilla and Muslims leaders in a bid to secure votes from the Muslim community.

"Politics was not discussed," he said. "What is important is there was a complaint by the Muslims and our President listened to this and the proposed solution seems to be acceptable to the group.

"It seems that their talks were very fruitful. (Padilla) himself said their visit was a success because no less than the President herself listened to their problems," he said.

Opposition critics have charged that the crackdown on supposed terrorists was motivated by Mrs. Arroyo’s wish to project an image of toughness ahead of May 10 presidential elections.

The fate of Marvin Rueca, another suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit in police custody, remains unknown.