Posted at 08/11/2010 12:47 AM | Updated as of 08/11/2010 1:45 AM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/10/10/money-laundering-raps-filed-vs-isnajis

MANILA, Philippines - Despite their acquittal from the kidnapping charges in connection to the abduction of an ABS-CBN News team, former Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, are not yet off the hook.

In a complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) accused the Isnajis of having engaged in illegal financial transactions when they allegedly pocketed P3 million out of the total P20 million ransom paid for the victims’ release.

“There is reasonable ground to believe that respondent Mayor Alvarez and Haider Isnaji, knowing fully well that they were dealing with proceeds of the unlawful activity of kidnapping for ransom, transacted the same through the banks, thereby making them appear as having originated from legitimate sources. Such acts constitute money laundering,” the AMLC said.

The complaint was signed by AMLC deputy director Richard David Funk II and bank officer V Monico Villar, Jr.

The Isnajis acted as negotiators for the release of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Oreña Drilon and cameramen Angelo Valderrama and Jimmy Encarnacion from their Abu Sayyaf kidnappers last June 2008.

In a decision last April 12, however, the Taguig Regional Trial Court said the prosecution failed to justify their guilt.

Despite the acquittal, AMLC said the Isnajis are still accountable for money laundering based on the testimony of Police Supt. Winnie Quidato.

In his affidavit, Quidato said he was present when Oreña-Drilon’s brother, Frank Oreña, delivered the ransom money.

The older Isnaji supposedly told him he delivered only P2 million of the initial ransom payment.

“Clearly, Mayor Isnaji pocketed part of the ransom money that was paid by the family of the victim,” AMLC said.

Further investigations show that a day after the initial ransom was paid, or on June 13, 2008, the former mayor deposited P900,000 to a savings account with the Philippine National Bank-Climaco Branch in Zamboanga City.

The amount was withdrawn between June 6 and November 6, 2008.

At least 3 deposits, totaling P520,100, were made to the same account from January 23, 2009 to May 28, 2009. Isnaji subsequently withdrew the amount in tranches.

The younger Isnaji, on the other hand, deposited P20,000 to his own account also a day after the ransom was paid.

Haider, thereafter, made 26 deposits, totaling P570,500, between July 2, 2008 and February 13, 2009.

In all, deposits made totaled P2.01 million, which, AMLC said, could have come from the ransom money pocketed.

“Money laundering is committed by any person who, knowing that a monetary instrument represents the proceeds of an unlawful activity, transacts the same,” AMLC said.

If found guilty, the Isnajis stand to face jail time of 7 to 14 years each. They may also be directed to pay a fine of not less than P3 million.