ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – The alleged leader of a gang tagged in the kidnapping of a town mayor was arrested during a raid in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay, a police official said yesterday.
Sahar Muloc, alias Commander Red Eye, was cornered in Barangay Poblacion at past noon Wednesday, according to Senior Superintendent Roy Bahian, Zamboanga Sibugay police provincial director.
The suspect – a native of Salug town in Zamboanga del Norte – was allegedly behind the kidnapping of Jeffrey Lim, mayor of Salug town in Zamboanga del Norte; two local businessmen, and a son of a village chairman in the province last year.
He was arrested by joint elements from the provincial police, the military, the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime, and the Police Public Safety Company at the Pasalubong Center in Barangay Poblacion.
Bahian said members of Muloc’s gang, disguised as narcotics agents, reportedly snatched Lim in April last year and released him in November after ransom was paid.
His arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Josefino Bael of Imelda town on charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Bahian said they are verifying if Muloc’s gang was involved in the kidnap of Australian Warren Rodwell, who was released last March in Basilan.