Sayyaf suspects on trial in Pasig

Two suspected Abu Sayyaf members who are facing charges before a Pasig court were presented yesterday by the Department of Justice’s anti-terror and security task force as part of its campaign against terror activities.

The two were identified as Jojo Jolo alias Abu Abdullah and Alizar Abubakar Iskandal alias Abu Hadi. A third suspect, Zohri Manatad alias Aby Nohman was later flown in from Zamboanga to attend the court proceedings. They could not take the same flight as three suspected terrorists in one airplane is a security risk, the DOJ said.

The three were charged before the Zamboanga City Regional State Prosecutor’s Office for alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention of 52 people in the Puno Mahadji incident in Tamahubong, Sumisip and Sinangkapan, Tuburan, all of Basilan on March 20, 2003.

The case has been transferred to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 261 for security reasons. The existing 52 counts of information filed in court will have to be amended to include the three among the accused to stand trial along with the others who have already been detained in Camp Ricardo Papa in Bicutan, Taguig.

The DOJ said this is one of cases that the task force will vigorously pursue for conviction.

The three were arrested by joint elements of the 24th Infantry Battalion and Specila Forces stationed in Tabuk, Isabela City in Basilan on Feb. 15. They were positively identified by complainant-victim Rosebert Ajon as among the Abu Sayyaf members who staged the March 20 abduction.

The prosecutors said the victim’s positive identification of the three as among their kidnappers was sufficient to establish probable cause against them. – Aurea Calica