Kidnap leader evades arrest, 2 followers captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -  A leader of a notorious kidnap-for-ransom group, tagged to be involved in the abduction of an Irish priest three years ago, escaped arrest but two of his followers were captured by military intelligence and police operatives in a town of Zamboanga del Sur, the military said Friday.

The two captured suspects were identified as Montasser Mangoda Ratarta alias Totongan and Rachmodin Vel Andih alias Den, followers of lost command and leader Amie Andi during the operation last Thursday afternoon.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the 1st Army Division, said combined elements of the military intelligence, elements of the 53rd Infantry Battalion and local police of swooped down the suspects’ hideout in Barangay Upper Bayao, Tukuran town to serve the warrant of arrest against Andih.

The operating security forces believed Andih escaped just before they arrived and surrounded the safehouse but cornered and captured his two followers about 2 p.m. without resistance, Caber said.

The captured suspects were placed under tactical interrogation in one of the military intelligence headquarters, Caber added.

“The group of Andih operating in Zamboanga peninsula were suspected to be involved in the abduction of an Irish priest in Zamboanga del Sur,” he said.

The military official was referring to the kidnapping of Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott, 79, who was abducted inside his convent in Pagadian City last Oct. 11, 2009 but was recovered a month later in Lanao and turned over to the authorities in the fishing port village of Sangali in this city. 

Caber said the group of Andih was also responsible for the massacre of civilians in Lapuyan town last February.

Lt. Col. Victor Tanggawon, 53rd IB commander, vowed the capture of Andih as pursuit operation has been launched for his arrest.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, 1st Army Division chief, ordered the soldiers in Zamboanga peninsula of relentless operations against the different kidnap-for-ransom groups in coordination with the police.

Cruz also urged the vital participation of civilians in the neutralization of the kidnapping groups and its activities in this part of the region.

“There will be no let up of pursuit operations against those responsible in the series of killings and kidnappings in Western Mindanao,” Cruz said.