PNP: Sema son tagged in Davao blast not arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa clarified yesterday that a lawmaker’s son who reportedly facilitated some kidnap-for-ransom incidents in the country has not yet been arrested.

Dela Rosa said the PNP is coordinating with its counterparts in Malaysia and Thailand on the alleged arrest of Mohammad Abduljabbar Sema but could not get confirmation.

“The latest report that I got from our police attaché in Malaysia says he has not been arrested yet. There was an attempt from Sema to cross the border of Malaysia and Thailand. However, he was barred from entering Thailand. Maybe this is why the report said he was arrested. But he was not arrested. He was merely held and sent back to Malaysian territory,” the police chief explained.

Earlier, President Duterte tagged the 26-year-old Sema as being involved in the Davao City bombing last September that left 15 people dead and dozens injured.

He also said that Sema, whom he described as a son of a Cotabato mayor, was arrested in Malaysia.

But Dela Rosa clarified that this has not been confirmed yet.

Sema is the son of Muslimin Sema, chairman of the main faction in the Moro National Liberation Front and Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, congresswoman of the first district of Maguindanao.

As for the kidnapping incidents, Dela Rosa said the younger Sema provided the vehicle for the group to operate.

“The staging point of the operations came from him and he was one of the brains behind (some incidents),” he added.