PNP-AKG agents capture 3 kidnap suspects in Iligan
PHILIPPINE National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) director, Brigadier General Rodolfo D. Castil Jr. on Sunday announced the rescue of a kidnapped 18-year-old man and the arrest of his three abductors in Iligan City last Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Castil said the rescue of the victim identified only as alias ‘Abdul’ came three months after he went missing last October 22 triggering an operation to find him.
After three months of continuous information gathering, officers from the PNP-AKG Mindanao Field Unit raided a house in Purok Ilang-Ilang in Barangay Sta. Felomina in Iligan City around 3:45 p.m. last Tuesday and safely rescued the victim from Barangay Madaum in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Brig. Gen. Castil said three men who were allegedly caught in the act of guarding the kidnapping victim were arrested. He identified them as businessman Moamar Limbao,32; Saino Managa, a 39-year old driver; and Samad Dipo, a 19-year old student. All three are residents of Marawi City.
During investigation, the victim narrated that he was abducted in Tagum City last October 2 while accompanying one ‘Raisah’ to the local bus terminal.
The victim said his kidnappers initially demanded a P3.4 million ransom from his family. When his family failed to produce the amount, the suspects moved him to at least six different locations in the mountainous areas of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur to mislead investigators.
Recovered during the rescue operation in Iligan City was a black Toyota Innova with plate no. ZTS-113 which was positively identified by the victim as the vehicle used by his abductors in snatching him.
The vehicle was found registered under the name of one Napoleon Mamacol of Buayaan Lilod, Ditsaan-Ramain in Lanao del Sur. PNP-AKG operatives have also sought the vehicle owner for questioning regarding the kidnapping case.
All the arrested suspects were brought to the AKG Mindanao Field Unit headquarters for booking and investigation following their arrest. They are now facing criminal charges for kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Tagum City Prosecutor’s Office.
Brig. Gen. Castil commended the officers and men of the AKG Mindanao Field Unit for safely rescuing the victim and arresting the three suspects without any shots being fired.
“This is another significant accomplishment manifesting the unit’s capability, dedication and professionalism in handling kidnapping incident anywhere in the country,” the official said.
