Mindanao kidnap suspect extradited to US to face trial

A suspect in the hostage-taking of US and Philippine citizens in Mindanao 14 years ago has been extradited to Washington DC to face trial, US officials said on Saturday. In separate press statements, the US Embassy in Manila and the Department of Justice in Washington DC said Madhatta Haipe was promptly arrested upon his arrival in the US capital on August 27. He will face a seven-count indictment in a federal court filed on November 8, 2000. Haipe, described by the statement as a professor of Islamic studies at Mindanao State University, allegedly led a group of armed individuals on Dec. 27, 1995 in the kidnapping of 16 individuals, including four US citizens, in the rugged area around Trankini Falls near Lake Sebu in South Cotabato,. Commander Haipe, as he was also called, allegedly forced the hostages, which included children, to march through the jungle, robbed them of their valuables, and threatened to kill anyone who attempted to escape. “The hostages were taken by force. Some were struck with rifle butts and all had rope tied around their hands or neck. Several hostages were released to facilitate the payment of the ransom. Those released were threatened that the other hostages would be killed if there was any military action taken against the hostage takers in an effort to free the hostages," said the US DOJ statement. The hostages were released by batches between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31, 1995, as the kidnappers allegedly collected ransoms of one million pesos (about US$38,000 in 1995) and 500,000 pesos (about US$19,000 in 1995). “With this extradition, we hope to finally bring justice for the US and Philippine victims who were held hostage and repeatedly threatened with death during this crime," David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security, was quoted in the statement saying. The US Embassy said the case “presents an excellent demonstration of international law enforcement cooperation." “It is further proof that the criminal justice systems of the Philippines and the United States are able to effectively respond to violence and banditry by extremist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group," the statement quoted Ambassador Kristie Kenney saying. Haipe has been indicted with hostage-taking, using firearms during a crime of violence, and conspiracy, for which maximum prison sentences range between five years and life imprisonment. Both the DOJ and embassy statements pointed out that an indictment is an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The embassy also assured that Haipe will be provided with defense counsel if he cannot afford one and all due-process protections afforded the accused in the United States’ criminal justice system, including the right to a jury trial. Channing Phillips, acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, said the extradition of Haipe was a fruit of the vigorous investigation by the DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), working with the Philippine DOJ, Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Foreign Affairs. “We will continue to use the full extent of our terrorism laws to prosecute those who take Americans hostage overseas. The pursuit of justice on behalf of hostage-taking victims remains one of our top priorities," he said. - GMANews.TV