Marines arrest another suspect in television

reporter’s kidnapping

By Rene Acosta

ANOTHER suspect in the kidnapping of television journalist Ces Drilon and her crew in Sulu early last month was arrested by soldiers on Wednesday afternoon.

Monhamer Sattari, alias Commander Brain Damage, was captured by troops from Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4) in barangay Candang, Maimbung, Sulu, at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, MBLT-4 commander, Sattari was among those who kidnapped Drilon, her two cameramen and Octavio Dinampo, who were on their way to interview Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.

He said Sattari is also a member of the Abu Sayyaf band, led by the late Mujib Susukan, which is based in Talipao, Sulu.

The suspect has been turned over to the 3rd Marine Brigade headquarters in the capital town of Jolo.

Caculitan said the bandit has a standing warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court in Sulu on four counts of frustrated murder.

On Friday last week Marines also arrested in a checkpoint two other suspects in the kidnapping, including a minor.

One of the suspects was Nadzmir Amirul, 18, alias Abu Kudama.

On Wednesday Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police commander, said investigators are also looking into the possible involvement of Amirul and his companion in the kidnapping of television reporter Maan Macapagal and her cameraman Val Cuenca, also in Sulu eight years ago.

The two, also of the television network ABS-CBN, were released after payment of a P5-million ransom.

Goltiao said investigators found from the wallet of Amirul a calling card and a picture of Macapagal.

Following the successive arrests of suspects in the Drilon kidnapping, Caculitan said he hopes to get the other remaining suspects.

Drilon and her companions, who were snatched on June 8, were released by the kidnappers after payment of a total of P15 million.

Earlier, the police arrested Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, after they were tagged as among the kidnappers.

Both are currently held at the National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, after charges of four counts of kidnapping with ransom were filed against them in court.

Another suspect, Juamil Biyaw, who acted as the guide of the victims on their way to interview Sahiron, is also being investigated for his possible involvement in the case.

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Marines arrest another suspect in television reporter’s kidnapping

ANOTHER suspect in the kidnapping of television journalist Ces Drilon and her crew in Sulu early last month was arrested by soldiers on Wednesday afternoon.