Suspect in judge’s slay nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The killing of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Reynerio Estacio Sr. could be connected to a controversial case of family feud in Sulu province that spilled over to this city, police said.

This became “clearer” after the arrest of a suspected gunman identified as Mohammad Al-Khalidz Taradji Amisali, said Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, acting city police chief.

Estacio, presiding judge of Zamboanga RTC Branch 14, was shot seven times by two men on board a motorcycle outside his house on Narra Drive in Barangay (village) Tugbungan on Feb. 28. He was known to handle several controversial cases, including those involving politicians, policemen and terrorists.

Amisali was taken at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday on Sunrise Drive in Barangay Talon-Talon by members of the city police office and the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division of the regional police office, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said in Manila.

He “was positively identified and pinpointed by three witnesses as one of the suspects in the murder of [Estacio],” Roxas said in a text message.

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 was identified as Hadji Farida Rajah, a resident of Sulu who had filed a case against the suspects. That case was handled by Estacio, who was killed a day after one of the suspects became a state witness.

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

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

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