Friday, June 20, 2008 (Philippines)

Top players competing in the Sun.Star Superbalita-Manny Villar 9-Ball Challenge include (from left) Efren “Bata” Reyes, Roberto “Superman” Gomez, Gande Valle, Jango Bustamante, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, and Dennis Orcullo. The sports celebrities yesterday visited the Sun.Star Bldg. at P. del Rosario St., Cebu City. (Sun.star photo/Allan Defensor) MANILA - A mayor and his son who negotiated with al-Qaida-linked rebels for the release of an abducted TV news anchor and three other people have been arrested as suspects in the kidnappings, officials said yesterday. Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Jun will be charged with kidnapping along with 14 Abu Sayyaf militants in the June 8 abduction, said Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon. He said police have reason to suspect the mayor masterminded the kidnapping, based on statements by at least four witnesses. [full story]