3 kidnappers captured in Sibugay raid

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police arrested an alleged sub-leader and two members of a syndicate tagged in the kidnapping of two foreign missionaries, in a recent raid in Zamboanga Sibugay, officials reported yesterday. 

Abral Abdusalam, the alleged sub-leader, and his companions – Rating Hadjirul and Kismir Hadjirul, alias Mamoy – were arrested at their safehouse in Barangay Timbang-Timbang, Alicia town on Monday, said Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman for the Region 9 police.

 Abdusalam and his brother Waning were said to be responsible for the kidnapping of Fr. Giancarlo Bossi and Fr. Michael Sinnott in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

Bossi was snatched in Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay while Sinnott in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Aside from the two priests, the suspects were said to be responsible for the kidnapping of three public school teachers in Naga town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Authorities said Abdusalam has a standing arrest warrant for kidnapping with ransom and serious illegal detention.

The raiding team recovered an M16 rifle, a fragmentation grenade, military and police uniforms, and mobile phones from the suspects.

Ortega said the suspects have pending warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.