Killing of Zamboanga City judge linked to grenade attack in Sulu — police

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The killing of Regional Trial Court Judge Reynerio Estacio Sr. is linked to a controversial case of family feud in Sulu that spilled over in this city.

Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, acting city police chief, said this was “made clearer” after Sunday’s arrest of the suspected gunman.

Casimiro said witnesses “positively identified” the suspect, Mohammad Al-Khalidz Taradji Amisali, as the gunman in the Estacio killing.

In October 2010, Amisali and 10 others were arrested for allegedly having a hand in the grenade attack on Camins Avenue here. The alleged target then was Hadji Farida Rajah, who was also a resident of Sulu.

Rajah filed a case against the suspects. That case was handled by Estacio.

“We cannot say it is solved, but there is a positive turn, and we are building a stronger case,” Casimiro said as he refused to give more details.

Emil Aquino, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Zambasulta (Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi) chapter, commended the police for their swift action.

Aquino said they were hoping that the “masterminds and their cohorts will likewise be identified and prosecuted.”

Estacio was gunned down on Feb. 28, the day after one of the grenade-throwing suspects became a state witness.

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