Another suspect in Ces Drilon kidnapping arrested - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - After last week's arrest of two suspected Abu Sayyaf members believed to be members of the group that abducted a television news crew and a university professor last June, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday disclosed the capture of another suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit involved in the kidnapping. Belated reports reaching Camp Crame identified the third suspected Abu Sayyaf member involved in the abduction as Munhamer Sattari alias "Brain Damage." The report said Sattari was arrested around 6:35 p.m. last July 22 inside his home in Brgy. Kandang in Maimbung, Sulu. The arrest came four days after two of his companions were arrested at a military checkpoint in Patikul town. The police report said Sattari's arrest was made based on a warrant of arrest issued by a local court in November 2005 for four counts of frustrated murder. The suspect is now under the custody of 3rd Marine Brigade "for further investigation." The arrested Abu Sayyaf suspects were implicated to the kidnapping of broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria Drilon, her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angleo Valderama, and university professor Octavio Dinampo last June 8. Abductors freed Valderama last June 12 after the payment of ransom and subsequently released Drilon, Encarnacion, and Dinampo on June 17 midnight. Aside from the two arrested Abu Sayyaf members, authorities are also holding Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, who were also charged in the kidnapping. Both served as emissaries who worked for the captives' release. - GMANews.TV