Man linked to abduction of TV crew in Sulu 'surrenders'

MANILA, Philippines - The man believed to have a hand in the kidnapping in Sulu province of three mediamen and a university professor has surrendered, according to authorities. In an interview with radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag in Sulu on Saturday, Major Gen. Juancho Sabban said the man identified as Juamil "Mameng" Biyaw went down the mountains and "voluntarily surrendered." Sabban is the commander of the military-led Task Force Comet formed to look into the kidnapping case involving ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon, camera man Jimmy Encarnacion, and university professor Octavio Dinampo. The three, along with Angelo Valderama, assistant cameraman of Drilon, were abducted last June 8 in Maibung town in Sulu reportedly by a faction of Abu Sayyaf militants. Valderama was released on Thursday, June 12, after kidnappers were reportedly paid P100,000 for the hostage's "board and lodging." Biyaw was with the kidnapped victims when they were on their way to the lair of the terrorist group last week supposedly to pursue a story through an interview with Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron, also known as Kumander Putol. Charges Biyaw, reportedly known in Sulu as a military agent, is from Sandah village in Patikul, a fourth class municipality in the province. Sabban said Biyaw surfaced through the help of a certain Sam Majusa, formerly of the Moro National Liberation Front, who is now with the National Security Agency. He said it was Majusa who convinced Biyaw to show up and prove his innocence. The task force chief said his group was coordinating with Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, police chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, for the possible kidnapping charges that would be slapped against Biyaw. Authorities will get Biyaw's statements and conduct full investigation before filing charges against him, according to Sabban. "Makakatulong ang statement niya, and 'yong association niya kay Dinampo, and 'yong purpose nila kung bakit sila pumunta doon (His statement, his association with Dinampo, and their purpose in going to Sulu will help us in our investigation)," said Sabban. The arrest of Biyaw and the filing of charges against him won't affect the ongoing negotiations for the release of Drilon's group believed to be still in Sulu, according to Sabban. He likewise appealed to media to be "cautious in coming out with statements that are not verified." Out of fear In a separate interview with Liwanag also on Saturday, Biyaw said he surfaced because he feared that he would be blamed for the disappearance of Drilon’s group. Biyaw said that on June 8, he and his “boss" Dinampo, picked up Drilon’s group from the SSC Hostel in Jolo, Sulu. He said they went to Timbangan, a village in the province’s Indanan town. The group was on board a yellow Tamaraw jeep. Afterwards, Biyaw said he was instructed by Dinampo that they should go to an area near Ajit River. “Pero hindi ko alam ‘yon…nagpatulong kami sa mga taon doon (But I didn’t know the place so we asked people there to help us locate the area)." He said that when they reached the river, they saw about 10 young-looking men, who were mostly armed. Biyaw said that was the last time he saw Drilon’s group with Dinampo. He said he caught fever and decided to pull out of the place and hide in the mountains. - ARCS, GMANews.TV