Kidnap gang leader arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Security forces on Thursday arrested a suspected leader of a kidnap-for-ransom and robbery gang in a predawn raid in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Senior Superintendent Jonathan Perez, provincial police director, said Elmas Guilingan alias Omar was captured from his safehouse at the border of barangays Guilingan and Fatima in Payao town at around 2 a.m.

Perez said Guilingan was arrested for a string of charges, including multiple murder and kidnapping. He has been brought to the provincial police office for detention.

Perez said the suspect was involved in the kidnapping of two businessmen in Kabasalan town in 2011 where the victims – Joel Endino and Reynaldo Drapeza – were released after payment of hefty ransom.

He said Guilingan was also positively identified as the one who led the ambush on Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca in Kabasalan town.

Huesca, who is now the spokesman of the police regional office here, said he was then the chief of police of Ipil town when they were attacked by the group of Guilingan. He escaped unharmed during the ambush.

Perez said that Guilingan's group is also involved in a string of robbery, hold-up and carnapping incidents in the province.