NBI nabs Baguio kidnap mastermind in Pasay

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested over the weekend in Pasay City the alleged mastermind in the kidnap-slay of the richest man in Benguet three months ago.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said suspect Paul Sumbad, 28, alias Banjo Leyaley, was arrested at a condominium-hotel in Pasay City last Sunday.

Sumbad, a former US Army man, will be presented to President Arroyo in Malacañang on Wednesday together with other kidnapping suspects apprehended by the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF).

In his report to Wycoco, lawyer Jose Lummayog, chief of the NBI-Cagayan Valley Regional Office, said Sumbad had a standing warrant of arrest for the kidnap-slay of Senley Loy Sr. in Baguio City last March 18.

Lummayog said Sumbad was charged for killing Loy after the suspect’s cousin spilled the beans last May 20.

The confession of Sumbad’s cousin was corroborated by two other suspects, who said they were bothered by their conscience.

According to Lummayog, Sumbad had restaurants and gasoline stations in Benguet. But he was charged for issuing bouncing checks and eventually landed in jail.

It was in jail, where Sumbad allegedly met criminals whom he recruited in his plan to kidnap Loy for ransom.

Loy had owned several businesses in Benguet province prior to his abduction and killing.

Investigators said Sumbad provided the guns, vehicles and men in the abduction of Loy.

During the abduction, the victim fought back, prompting one of the kidnappers to hit him with the butt of a gun. The kidnappers then poured chloroform on the victim.

Thinking that Loy was dead, the kidnappers brought him to Kilometer 36 road, the highest highway in the Philippines, where he was burned.

Still, the kidnappers planned to demand P10 million from the victim’s family.

During the investigation, Lummayog said an NBI agent was even linked to the killing, prompting Wycoco to direct agents in the province to prioritize the case to clear not only the agent, but the entire bureau as well.

"In the course of our investigation, we identified Sumbad’s cousin, who later spilled the beans. The two other suspects surrendered and led NBI agents to where the body was buried," Lummayog added.

The victim was identified through his dental records, said Lummayog.

NBI agents initially failed to arrest Sumbad, who enjoyed protection from a tribe in Benguet.

"It’s a good thing he went to Pasay, where he was nabbed," Lummayog said.

Another cousin of the suspect, a certain Edgar Pimentel, also implicated in the kidnap-slay, has reportedly been taken by a group of armed men and has remained missing until now.