7 GenSan kidnap suspects charged

KORONADAL CITY , Philippines   – Police have filed multiple charges against seven suspected kidnappers who were arrested in General Santos City five days ago.

Those charged were Abusama Gumbay, alias Datu Sultan Tongal; Abdullah Salindatu, Tung Cepe, Mahulidin Paguilan, Musib Indal, Joemar Guimat and Randy Zamora.

Court staffer Jun Samulde told a radio station that the seven suspects have been charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives before the General Santos City prosecutor’s office last Wednesday.

Superintendent Rolando Octavio, deputy chief for operations of the General Santos police, was quoted as saying earlier that the three of the seven suspects were nabbed along the highway in Barangay Apopong where lawmen were manning a checkpoint.

The three suspects were on board an L-300 van when police intercepted them. The four other suspects were arrested in their safehouse in Barangay Labangal and yielded high-powered firearms, ammunition and explosives.

The suspects, however, denied that they were involved in kidnappings.

Senior Superintendent Willie Dangane, Cotabato City police chief, said some of the suspects, whom he did not identify, have pending murder and kidnapping cases in the city.