[Press Release] Missing Islamic Scholars Confirmed Abducted in NAIA 3 -FIND

Missing Islamic Scholars Confirmed Abducted in NAIA 3 Recent developments in the search for the three missing Islamic scholars took a positive turn. Najir Gumuntul Ahung, 38; Rasdie Bisita Kasaran, 21; and Yusup Cadlus Mohammad, 21, all residents of Al-Barka, Basilan disappeared on January 4, 2012. All three were bound for Khartoum, Sudan and were…

Human Rights Online Philippines

February 25, 2012

3–4 minutes

Al-Barka Basilan, Camp Crame, Khartoum, Manila, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, naia terminal 3, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, philippines flight, Sudan, Zamboanga City

Missing Islamic Scholars Confirmed Abducted in NAIA 3

Recent developments in the search for the three missing Islamic scholars took a positive turn. Najir Gumuntul Ahung, 38; Rasdie Bisita Kasaran, 21; and Yusup Cadlus Mohammad, 21, all residents of Al-Barka, Basilan disappeared on January 4, 2012. All three were bound for Khartoum, Sudan and were scheduled to leave Manila via Qatar Airways at 12:10 a.m. of that day.

The Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) on 14 February 2012, in what it considered as a breakthrough, was able to confirm from Air Philippines’ baggage section that the checked-in bags of Najir Ahung and Yusup Mohammad were never claimed.

Accompanied by FIND and CHR investigators headed by Atty. Robinson Viñas, the relatives went to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to secure the unclaimed baggage. The women relatives of the victims turned emotional and cried upon seeing the bags of Najir Ahung and Yusup Mohammad.

“Because of this circumstantial evidence, we can now establish the place where the supposed incident took place and our presumption is that the three were abducted inside the airport terminal even before they could claim their bags,” said Camilo Manio, Search and Documentation Program Officer of FIND.

Relatives of the victims suspected that government security agents were responsible in the disappearance of the three who were last seen on January 3, 2012 when they boarded an Air Philippines flight from Zamboanga City bound for Manila. Flight documents confirm that all three got to the NAIA but never got on board their scheduled flight to Sudan.

The family’s allegation stemmed from unconfirmed reports linking Ahung, Kasaran and Mohammad in the October 19, 2011 ambush of Philippine Army Special Forces by suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, reportedly joined by villagers near Al-Barka, Basilan.

FIND had been coordinating a working group in search for the victims. The working group is composed of the Asia Federation Against Involuntary Disappearance (AFAD) and the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA).

In 20 January 2012, it sought the intervention of AFP Human Rights Office Chief Colonel Domingo Tutaan. Initial reports gathered from AFP units indicated negative results but he assured that investigation is ongoing.

Colonel Henry Libay of Task Force Usig meanwhile informed FIND that the three were nowhere to be found in Camp Crame and other PNP units.

From 20 January to 31, FIND’s search team went camp hopping and checked Camp Bicutan Detention Center, Camp Karingal, Camp Crame including a funeral parlor in Manila where recently reported salvaged victims unclaimed bodies were kept. FIND also inquired at the regional trial courts of Pasay and Manila to check whether cases have been filed against any of the three. All these yielded negative results.

On 13 February the relatives and FIND sought legal relief through the filing of Writ of Amparo at the office of Atty. Harry Roque. The relatives signed the petition in the presence of Counsel Romel Regalado Bagares.

On the following day, counsel for the petitioner filed the same before the Supreme Court indicating AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa and Brig. Gen. Cesar Ronnie Ordoyo Intelligence Service Chief of the AFP as respondents.

Manio underscored the value of the victims’ unclaimed luggage; “Once the Supreme Court grants our petition, we will definitely include it in stating the material facts of the case during the hearing. The evidence established our presumption that the victims were taken against their will inside NAIA-3, a secured facility within the control of airport authorities.”