10 dead Abus in prison siege may have fired guns

At least 10 suspected Abu Sayyaf detainees killed during a foiled jailbreak attempt at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig last month tested positive for gunpowder nitrates, confirming they had fired weapons.

Among those who tested positive in the paraffin test were Abu Sayyaf top leaders Hasbie Daie, alias Ka Lando, the group’s negotiator; Alhamser Manatad Limbong, alias Kosovo; Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot; and Nadjmi Sabdula, alias Commander Global.

The findings of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the Southern Police District disprove speculations that Andang was summarily executed by elements of the Special Action Force (SAF) when they assaulted the Metro Manila Detention Jail (MMDJ) last March 15.

The SOCO report showed that Ka Lando and Ammi Ulla tested positive for gunpowder burns on both hands. Robot, Ahmed Sajiron, Ahmed Upao, Abdulrashid Lim and Jojo Bataraza Jolo were found to have gunpowder nitrates on their right hand while Kosovo, Global and Almudi Tarbangsa had traces of gunpowder on the left hand.

Those who tested negative were Ibrahim Joe, Gaffar Mundi, Muhaizer Tilao, Edcel Tomas Piga, Ibno Hasser Agasi, Jalal Ampazo, Alamazul Mawadi, Basoan Pael, Ahmed Arawangza, Badran Abdulhamid, Maulo Mubassirin, Jay Nassier and Kair Abdulgaffar.

Two other Abu Sayyaf bandits, Ibno Mubarak and Burham Abdulahadji, who were killed during the early hours of the jail mutiny, were also found negative for gunpowder burns.

This does not mean, however, that they did not fire guns, according to Superintendent Mitch Filart, CIDG south sector commander.

Filart explained that the presence of gunpowder nitrates may be affected by factors such as space enclosure, wind direction and type of firearm used.

He said that Tilao, brother of Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya, tested negative for gunpowder burns although witnesses claimed he was among those who fired at the jail guards.

Aside from the 25 inmates slain during the mutiny, three jail guards and a police officer were also killed in the incident. Two of the jail guards, SJO4 Edgar Dajay and JO2 Rogelio de la Cruz, did not fire their weapons.

The seven caliber .45 pistols recovered from the scene of the encounter were also subjected to ballistic examination and all were found to have been fired. Four of these handguns were issued to the slain jail guards and SAF member PO1 Abel Arreola.

Chief Superintendent Ricardo Dapat, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), is coordinating with the Firearms and Explosive Division to determine the real owners of the three other handguns.

Filart had recommended the filing of multiple murder and frustrated murder against Bas Ismael, Monib Asa, Abu Sajay Omar, Said Masshud, Rashmar Jul and Alzen Jandul.

Witnesses claimed that the six Abu Sayyaf bandits joined the initial attack against the jail guards but survived the SAF assault by mingling with fellow prisoners.

The CIDG has five inmates and three jail guards as witnesses against Ismael and his five cohorts.

Meanwhile, the five jail guards who were supposed to be on duty when the Abu Sayyaf launched their escape attempt surfaced yesterday and submitted affidavits to explain their absence.

The CIDG is focusing its probe on possible collusion between the jail guards and the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Tight Security

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) beefed up its security at the MMDJ for fear that 13 Abu Sayyaf convicts newly transferred to the facility might make another desperate escape try.

Senior Superintendent Joseph Taeza, BJMP Directorial Staff chief, said the inmates were transferred from Basilan last Tuesday and were distributed to different cells to prevent the possibility of them meeting and plotting another jailbreak.

Thirty BJMP office personnel were also added to the existing 105 guards securing the MMDJ.

Taeza admitted that securing the 60,000 inmates nationwide would require at least 38,000 guards. – With Evelyn Macairan