PNP rules out charges vs Ces Drilon family for paying ransom

MANILA, Philippines - While authorities are pinning Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji for allegedly pocketing much of the ransom paid for the release of the hostages, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it is not keen on pursuing a case against those who paid the money. In a press conference, PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr said the family of broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon cannot be faulted for paying ransom to the abductors in efforts to secure the hostages' safe release. "We cannot fault the Oreña family for doing everything to bring back their loved one," Razon said when asked if the PNP is mulling charges against Drilon's family for paying ransom. Razon said based on intelligence information, Drilon's brother Frank Oreña was the one who brought the ransom payment to Sulu and handed over the money to Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji who was then negotiating with the abductors. However, Razon said of the ransom payment, Isnaji kept P3 million to himself and gave the abductors only P2 million which prompted the kidnappers to release driver Angelo Valderama, and not Drilon herself. Interior and Local Government Sec. Ronaldo Puno earlier said the Isnaji had pressed Drilon's family to pay ransom after the broadcaster's home network ABS-CBN refused to pay the amount being demanded by the abductors. In the press conference, Razon said instead of pursuing charges against Drilon's family, investigators are focusing on establishing a case against three relatives of Isnaji who may also be involved in the kidnapping. Police on Thursday filed kidnapping charges against Isnaji and his son Haider and put the two under detention after finding inconsistencies in their statements over the kidnapping case. - GMANews.TV