State witness pins down Isnajis

MANILA, Philippines – Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider were involved in planning the kidnapping of ABS-CBN journalist Ces Drilon and three others in Sulu, according to a government witness.

Speaking to reporters after submitting his affidavit to the Department of Justice, Juamil Biyaw, who claims to be a military agent, said he had a “line” to Abu Sayyaf commander Radulan Sahiron.

“Kasama nagplano si Mayor pati si Jun (Haider) sa kidnapping,” he said.

Biyaw vowed to tell everything in court.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. confirmed reports published in The STAR that Biyaw is a government witness against the Isnajis.

“His (Biyaw) testimony will bolster the case against Mayor Isnaji and his son,” he said.

Police officials said it would be up to prosecutors to decide whether Biyaw would become a state witness.

Biyaw was taken to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City early Saturday morning.

Biyaw acted as guide for Drilon, her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and professor Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University when they tried to get an interview with Sahiron, who had reportedly sent surrender feelers to the government.

A reliable source at Camp Crame said Biyaw told police investigators  that Mayor Isnaji saw the opportunity of “making money” out of Drilon and her companions.

Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel, the kidnapping case’s chief investigator, said Drilon and her two cameramen had amended their affidavits to mention the possible collusion of the Isnajis with their kidnappers.

“Yes, she (Drilon) amended her affidavit and she mentioned that the kidnappers were insisting that Mayor Isnaji should be the negotiator and the Isnajis were negotiating not for their release but for the ransom,” he said.

During the continuation of the preliminary investigation on the Isnajis, Coronel submitted the affidavit of Biyaw and another witness, Potong Umpah, who took the photographs while Haider and Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidullah were counting the P5-million ransom in the presence of Mayor Isnaji, Senior Superintendent Winnie Quidato and a bodyguard.

Coronel also submitted the video footages taken by Encarnacion while he was held by the Abu Sayyaf Group and the photographs of 12 of the kidnappers grabbed from the video.

Reporters were allowed to witness the early part of the proceedings held inside the CIDG conference room.

However, when the video was about to be played, Coronel pointed out that the proceedings should be held behind closed doors because of current operations in Sulu to capture the kidnappers.

Sources said the video was played for about 45 minutes, during which the faces of 12 kidnappers were clearly seen and were presented to the prosecutors.

After reportedly paying P15 million in ransom money, Drilon and her companions were released by their captors in Barangay Timbangan, Indanan town last June 18.

Police have yet to confirm the P15-million ransom.

The kidnappers released Valderama on June 12 after a P5-million ransom was delivered by Drilon’s brother, Frank Oreña, to the residence of the Isnajis in Indanan town.

Biyaw said severe pains, cramps and fever made him decide not to go with Drilon’s group when they walked off.

He was also ordered by armed men to leave them, he added. — Cecille Suerte Felipe