PNP downplays Abu, MNLF threats due to Isnaji's arrest
06/21/2008 | 08:02 AM
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) downplayed Saturday the prospect of sympathy attacks by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Abu Sayyaf bandits after the arrest of Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji.
Mayor Isnaji and son Haider, have been detained for allegedly masterminding the kidnapping of a television news crew and a university professor in Sulu last June 8.
PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. said Saturday that some MNLF members are even mad at Isnaji for his double-crossing the family of kidnapped senior television news anchor Cecilia victoria "Ces" Oreña Drilon and even the kidnappers.
"Ang iba nagagalit (kay) Isnaji at nagkakaroon ng double-crossing (Many MNLF members are angry at Isnaji for playing tricks)," Razon said in an interview on dzXL radio.
"May pagtingin dito nang mahinahon at circumspect ang pagtingin ng member ni Mayor Isnaji. Ngayon nila nalaman nakinabang si Isnaji sa proseso ng kidnapping at ang intended na P5 million na binayad ng Oreña family para kay Ces para lumaya si Valderama ang pinalaya. Ang nakinabang si Mayor Isnaji (The MNLF is taking it with circumspect. It is only now that they learned of Isnaji's trick)," he added in a separate interview on dzRH radio.
Earlier reports had indicated Isnaji's supporters, including MNLF members, had started massing up to support him.
But Razon admitted the government and the MNLF leadership are making efforts to "explain" Isnaji’s arrest to other members of the MNLF, of which Isnaji is a member.
"May efforts ang ating kasamahan sa MNLF at gobyerno, hindi lahat sympathetic kay mayor. Ipapaliwanag ang tunay na nangyari. Hindi pwedeng may mamamayan o member ng MNLF na mas mataas sa batas (There are efforts by MNLF members and the government to explain the issue. Not all MNLF members are sympathetic to Isnaji. Besides, no one is above the law, not even the MNLF)," he said.
Because of this, he said there is no reason for the postponement of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on August 11.
Isnaji is running for ARMM governor as an independent candidate.
"Sa aking tingin dapat tuloy yan, walang gaanong epekto (I think the election should push through. Isnaji's arrest has no bearing on it)," Razon said.
Razon also belied claims that the Abu Sayyaf Group is planning attacks on Metro Manila following the arrest of Isnaji and his son Thursday.
The Isnajis were charged with kidnapping before midnight Thursday. The elder Isnaji could face administrative charges as well.
"Wala po (No chance)," Razon said when asked about the possibility of "sympathy attacks" by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
On Friday, interior secretary Ronaldo Puno disclosed that Isnaji kept for himself P3 million out of the P5 million paid by the family of news anchor Ces Oreña-Drilon.
Puno said that aside from the “double-crossing" the kidnappers, Isnaji double-crossed the Oreña family by releasing driver Angelo Valderama on June 12.
Drilon, cameraman Jim Encaranacion and university professor Octavio Dimampo were released only last Tuesday.
"Siya ang nakinabang sa prosesong ito, siya ang initiator sa kidnap-for-ransom group. He facilitated para sa personal gain (Isnaji profited from all this. He initiated the kidnap-for-ransom group and facilitated the 'negotiations' for his personal gain)," Razon said. - GMANews.TV
Mayor Isnaji and son Haider, have been detained for allegedly masterminding the kidnapping of a television news crew and a university professor in Sulu last June 8.
PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. said Saturday that some MNLF members are even mad at Isnaji for his double-crossing the family of kidnapped senior television news anchor Cecilia victoria "Ces" Oreña Drilon and even the kidnappers.
"Ang iba nagagalit (kay) Isnaji at nagkakaroon ng double-crossing (Many MNLF members are angry at Isnaji for playing tricks)," Razon said in an interview on dzXL radio.
"May pagtingin dito nang mahinahon at circumspect ang pagtingin ng member ni Mayor Isnaji. Ngayon nila nalaman nakinabang si Isnaji sa proseso ng kidnapping at ang intended na P5 million na binayad ng Oreña family para kay Ces para lumaya si Valderama ang pinalaya. Ang nakinabang si Mayor Isnaji (The MNLF is taking it with circumspect. It is only now that they learned of Isnaji's trick)," he added in a separate interview on dzRH radio.
Earlier reports had indicated Isnaji's supporters, including MNLF members, had started massing up to support him.
But Razon admitted the government and the MNLF leadership are making efforts to "explain" Isnaji’s arrest to other members of the MNLF, of which Isnaji is a member.
"May efforts ang ating kasamahan sa MNLF at gobyerno, hindi lahat sympathetic kay mayor. Ipapaliwanag ang tunay na nangyari. Hindi pwedeng may mamamayan o member ng MNLF na mas mataas sa batas (There are efforts by MNLF members and the government to explain the issue. Not all MNLF members are sympathetic to Isnaji. Besides, no one is above the law, not even the MNLF)," he said.
Because of this, he said there is no reason for the postponement of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on August 11.
Isnaji is running for ARMM governor as an independent candidate.
"Sa aking tingin dapat tuloy yan, walang gaanong epekto (I think the election should push through. Isnaji's arrest has no bearing on it)," Razon said.
Razon also belied claims that the Abu Sayyaf Group is planning attacks on Metro Manila following the arrest of Isnaji and his son Thursday.
The Isnajis were charged with kidnapping before midnight Thursday. The elder Isnaji could face administrative charges as well.
"Wala po (No chance)," Razon said when asked about the possibility of "sympathy attacks" by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
On Friday, interior secretary Ronaldo Puno disclosed that Isnaji kept for himself P3 million out of the P5 million paid by the family of news anchor Ces Oreña-Drilon.
Puno said that aside from the “double-crossing" the kidnappers, Isnaji double-crossed the Oreña family by releasing driver Angelo Valderama on June 12.
Drilon, cameraman Jim Encaranacion and university professor Octavio Dimampo were released only last Tuesday.
"Siya ang nakinabang sa prosesong ito, siya ang initiator sa kidnap-for-ransom group. He facilitated para sa personal gain (Isnaji profited from all this. He initiated the kidnap-for-ransom group and facilitated the 'negotiations' for his personal gain)," Razon said. - GMANews.TV
