TV news team's guide is new witness vs Isnajis - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - The supposed guide of broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and three others when they were abducted in Sulu province early this month will be the government’s new witness against Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son on the kidnapping for ransom case leveled against them. Senior Supt. Joel Coronel, chief investigator of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Jumail “Mameng” Biyaw has personal knowledge that the Isnajis have direct participation on the June 8 abduction of the group of Drilon. “At present, he is our witness. He had already signed affidavits corroborating the involvement of the Isnajis on the kidnapping,” Coronel said after the preliminary investigation on the case held in Camp Crame Monday afternoon. Biyaw personally submitted his sworn affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel conducting the preliminary investigation on the Isnajis. Interviewed after the proceedings, Biyaw said he agreed to act as guide for the group of Drilon, of ABS-CBN's news bureau, upon the request of Octavio Dinampo, a professor from the Mindanao State University who was also among those kidnapped. Biyaw said Dinampo requested him to arrange an interview between Drilon and Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron. On their way to the supposed meeting place, Biyaw said they were met by several armed men who even accompanied them for several hours. Biyaw said that during that time, he had no knowledge that the four were already kidnapped. He said he only learned that the group has been taken as captives after three of the armed men talked to him and forced him to leave the area, allegedly on orders of the younger Isnaji, Haider. Biyaw, however, would not elaborate further, saying he will reveal everything before the court. Coronel said Biyaw’s statement will strengthen the case against the Isnajis. For his part, CIDG Director Chief Supt. Raul Castañeda said they will leave to the DOJ to decide on whether or not Biyaw will be turned as a state witness. Castañeda said Biyaw is presently under their custody for his safety and that the security for his family is currently being arranged. - GMANews.TV