On Ces, et al abduction, Suara to CIDG WestMin: Surface Juamil Biyaw

COTABATO CITY – A Moro group here is calling for a probe on Juamil Biyaw, the military asset, who allegedly brought ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Drilon and her two cameramen including MSU Professor Octavio Dinampo to near-demise after they were abducted in Maimbung, Sulu on June 8.

The Suara Bangsamoro (Voice of the Bangsamoro) demands for a thorough investigation to surely pin down the real culprits especially that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already released evidences that point Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, as the masterminds of the kidnapping.

“The PNP quickly tags Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as the perpetrators where Mayor Isnaji said that behind the kidnapping is an unorganized and nameless group. It is also mind-puzzling that the PNP ignores the involvement of Juamil Biyaw in the abduction,” Indayla said.

“It is very clear, according to Dinampo that ‘Biyaw was the one who made the arrangements including the time and place, and left Drilon’s group.’ Also, Marama Hashim, their driver, said that ‘Biyaw was the one who led the group in a forested area and returned alone.’ With these first-hand accounts, anyone could perceive something and doubt,” Indayla added.

The group has also qualms over the immediate release of Biyaw from the hands of Task Force Comet under the headship of 3^rd Marine Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban after the latter denied the allegations against him.

“Brig. Gen. Sabban is so quick to refute that Biyaw is not a military agent where majority of the people in Patikul, where he is a village councilor, knows that he is,” Indayla pointed.

The Suara Bangsamoro dares the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Western Mindanao to surface Juamil Biyaw and not to white-wash the investigation.

“Let Biyaw speak the truth. It is another high time for the military to prove that there is no truth to military-ASG connivance, especially now that a military agent is the one suspected bringing Drilon and others to their captors, and still at large,” Indayla said.

Furthermore, Suara Bangsamoro challenges the Arroyo administration to be true in their declaration that the government guarantees the freedom of the press, act on the numerous unresolved killings of journalists and continuing human rights violations and ensure the welfare of its people.

“A good government is sensitive to the wellbeing of its people. This government should look and act into the unceasing increase of recruits to rebel groups where minors are the majority members. Poverty and neglect of basic social services pushes people to do crimes in order to live,” Indayla stressed. #