PNP identified two ASG suspects involved in kidnapping of TV Crew

Miami
June 16, 2008
Story 3: PNP identified two ASG suspects involved in kidnapping of TV Crew

The Philippine National Police (PNP) identified two Abu Sayyaf group that believed to be identified in the kidnapping of Ces Drilon, ABS-CBN reporter and her crew.

Chief Supt. Hadji Sukarno Ikbala, Director of Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) said that they have identified two members of Abu Sayyaf involved in the kidnapping of Ces Drilon and her crew.

The name of the ASG members are Sulayman Patta alias Amah Ma’as or Abu Haris and certain Walid alias Tuan Wals. Upon identifying the name of the two ASG members, Ikbala also announces that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) approved a reward of Php500,000 for each suspects for a total of Php1 Million, on who can give any information for their whereabouts.

Ikabala also ask for the crisis management committee to exert all effort or do their very best for the safe release of the victims.

“As a Muslim PNP officer, I urge Sulu Governor Sikar Tan and Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji to exercise their leadership and responsibility and explore all measures to bring about the immediate resolution of this case,” Ikbala said.

Tan is the head of the crisis management committee and Isnaji is the negotiator between the committee and the kidnappers.

“The kidnapping is not against the law of man, but it is against the law of Islam“, Ikbala said. He also said that he is hopeful that the crisis committee will do everything to resolve the crisis peacefully.

According to PNP Spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, the PNP is now determining other incidents where the two suspects has been involved already. He also said they have a reliable source who named the two as the abductors of Drilon and company.

He also said that they are identifying other names that were involved in the abduction like Albader Parad, and Gapur Jundain who was first mentioned by the ARMM police as the leader of ASG in the area.

Meanwhile, Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, confirm that at around 8:30 am he received a call from the kidnappers asking for Php15 million ransom. He also said that he was able to talk to Drilon and asked him not to give up on him.

Isnaji said he was about to give up because, “I cannot convince the kidnappers on the talks that we are doing.”

However, he did not identify what he is trying to say to convince the kidnappers in relation to the release of the victims for security reasons or as not to affect the on going negotiations.

He also confirm that the kidnappers gave an ultimatum until 12:00 noon on Tuesday, June 17 and if the ransom money that they will ask will not be given on the said time, the kidnappers will give a stricter measure on the negotiations and policy. He said that he fear that the victims will be tied already.

Isnaji said that they still stick on the no ransom policy and will continue to negotiate for the release Drilon and others safely.