Kidnapped sultan rescued in Lanao de Sur

Marawi City — A sultan was kidnapped by five armed men here last Thursday but was rescued in Malabang town, Lanao del Sur two days after. The abductors were also arrested by a combined team of Philippine Marines and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Brigadier Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Philippine Marines 2nd Brigade and Joint Task Force Ranao commander, identified the victim as Jamil Rugong, sultan of Lumbac-Cataros and a member of the Royal Sultanate League of Marawi. He was kidnapped by armed men while at the Palitan market here.

The kidnappers initially demanded P1.5 million in ransom for the sultan’s release but it was later reduced to P1 million and finally to P200,000. The members of the kidnap group, however, did not agree with the the sultan’s on the amount, Dolorfino said.

The victim was then brought to Ganassi town, Lanao del Sur but the kidnappers abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot to Pagayawan, Balindong town with the victim.

Combined forces of the Philippine Marines led by Col. Amando Melo and the PNP led by Senior Superintendent Ameroddin Hamdag were hot on their trail.

The kidnap group and the victim boarded a Tamaraw FX and proceeded to Malabang, Lanao del Sur. As the vehicle approached a military checkpoint, the victim reportedly jumped from the vehicle to escape but got hurt as his head hit the pavement.

He suffered abrasions and contusions on the forehead but managed to shout that he is a kidnap victim, alerting the Philippine Marines manning the checkpoint.

The kidnappers tried to escape but were arrested. They were later identified as Macapundi Acmad Sarip, Cosari Balindong, Salahuddin Didagun and Jaladuddin Balindong, all in their 20s.

A fifth suspect, believed to be the mastermind but identified only as Commander Black Star eluded arrest and remains at large. Appropriate charges are now being readied against the suspects.

The group is not linked to any kidnap-for-ransom or rebel groups, authorities said.

The four suspects were presented to the media yesterday at the Philippine Marines headquarters here and the victim was reunited with his family.