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Alleged ex-Abu Sayyaf member nabbed for assault
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Posted on Nov 03 2004
An alleged ex-member of the Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf fell into the hands of authorities after assault and battery and criminal contempt charges were filed against him.
The allegation that Roger Samortin Castillo was formerly affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf cropped up in his ex-lover’s statement to investigators. The woman also told police that the 47-year-old Castillo is affiliated with a special unit in the Philippine military.
In an affidavit, police detective Christopher Leon Guerrero charged Castillo with criminal contempt, assault and battery and disturbing the peace.
The incident allegedly happened last Oct. 27 inside the courtroom of Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo.
Police said that Castillo, who resides in Chinatown, was in court in connection with a petition by the woman for a restraining order. The woman reportedly claimed that Castillo previously threatened her several times, telling her that he would kill her if she leaves him and have another boyfriend.
After the woman finished her testimony, the judge asked her to step down and called Castillo to the witness stand.
Police said that, when they came close to each other, Castillo elbowed the woman, struck her arm and uttered an invective at her. Police said the woman became scared at the dirty look Castillo threw her.
The woman felt that Castillo is capable of harming her because of his military and Abu Sayyaf background, the detective said.
Associate Judge David Wiseman upheld that Castillo probably committed the crimes he was being accused of. The judge imposed a $5,000-bail for Castillo’s temporary release.
The judge also ordered Castillo to surrender his travel documents and that he be temporarily banned from leaving Saipan.
