CEBU CITY – Text messages from mobile phones of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members killed during the encounter in Bohol showed that the bandits were really planning to conduct kidnapping activities in the province.
This was based on the initial evidence gathering conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 on the mobile phones gathered from the encounter sites in the towns of Inabangga and Clarin.
CIDG 7 director Supt. Royina Marzan Garma said the forensic examination of mobile phones believed to be owned by the slain ASG members showed a number of messages that point to possible kidnapping in Bohol.
The plan, however, was thwarted when government troops clashed it out with the terrorists in Inabangga town.
Garma said her office sought the assistance of the Office of the Muslim Affairs to translate the text messages that were made in Tausug.
Results from the forensic examination on the cellphone recovered from Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza also allegedly contained traces of what could serve as proof of her affiliation to the ASG.
One of the videos found in her phone, depicted what looked-like a minor, shooting a Syrian hostage to death. Also found on the phone was an inspirational message from Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaeda who was responsible for terror attacks across the globe.
The evidences will be used in filing appropriate charges against the Nobleza and other ASG members, said Garma.
(Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)