Police nab leader of kidnap gang

COTABATO CITY , Philippines  – Policemen arrested yesterday a commander of one of several kidnap-for-ransom gangs preying on wealthy members of the Chinese community here.

The suspect, Abdulmanan Mabang, long wanted for kidnappings in Kabacan, North Cotabato and in Tacurong City, was cornered by policemen and Marine soldiers, led by Senior Superintendent Danny Reyes, after a brief chase in a slum area east of the city. Reyes said Mabang, who was holding a fragmentation grenade while being chased, turned himself in after sensing that he had been surrounded by dozens of policemen and combatants of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7.

Reyes said they learned of the presence of Mabang and his men in the city through local informants, among them people residing near his hideout. Mabang is a commander of one of about a dozen kidnap-for-ransom gangs operating in the city and surrounding provinces.

Mabang’s arrest came after the release two weeks ago of businesswoman Jinkee Lim Yap in Datu Piang, Maguindanao following her April 1 abduction while tending the pay counter of her small roadside grocery store here.