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Southeast Asia
Muslim cleric arrested in Sulu
2008-04-02
Government security forces have arrested a Muslim cleric from Capual Island in Luuk, Sulu on suspicion of being a member of the Abu Sayyaf group, police belatedly announced.

The Philippine National PoliceÂ’s Criminal Detection and Investigation Group (CIDG) said in a statement that Ustadz Jaiton Jala Timuay was arrested on March 21. It claimed Timuay was among the Abu Sayyaf fighters who kidnapped 21 people, including foreigners, from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan on April 23, 2000.
Timuay, who has been locked up in the CIDG detention facility here, said he was in Syria when the mass kidnapping took place.
But Timuay, who has been locked up in the CIDG detention facility here, said he was in Syria when the mass kidnapping took place. Timuay's colleagues, who came to the CIDG office here along with a government lawyer, backed up his claim.

Sheikh Abdulwakil Tanjijil, a Muslim cleric in Western Mindanao, said Timuay was in Syria between 1998 and 2005. Tanjijil said they were incensed at the allegations, describing Timuay as a good man. However, Tanjijil said they have learned that the CIDG is planning to file another charge against the cleric, this time for his alleged involvement in a kidnapping in Basilan.

Warina Jukuy of the Concerned Citizens of Sulu told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) that officials from the Department of Justice (DoJ) are working with the CIDG to “fabricate” the charges against Timuay. "DoJ officials are fabricating a different charge. After they learned that Timuay is innocent of the Sipadan case, they are now filing charges against him for the kidnapping of Biel," she said in reference to the 1991 abduction of Anthony Biel, a scion of the Biel clan of Basilan. The CIDG’s Superintendent Jose Pante did not answer repeated calls by the Inquirer.

Tanjijil said they are worried about Timuay's safety because of information CIDG agents are allegedly trying to force him to confess to participation in the Biel kidnapping.
Posted by:Fred

#1  Hey, things are tough all over. Most everybody's got a second job...
Posted by: tu3031   2008-04-02 10:59  

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