Woman kidnapped in Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Unidentified gunmen snatched a woman in a coastal town in Zamboanga Sibugay on Tuesday night, police said yesterday.

Laarni Bandi, 38, a native of Bicol and secretary of Celebes Marine Product, was taken by seven men who barged into her boarding house in Purok Maabiabihon, Barangay Poblacion, Malangas at about 6:30 p.m., according to a report received by Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson. 

Senior Police Officer 1 Saaggundo Danago said initial investigation showed the gunmen dragged the victim to a yellow pumpboat and fled toward Muyong island.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing. 

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said personnel of the 44th Infantry Battalion, maritime police, Coast Guard, Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Regional Mobile Force Company 9 are helping the Malangas police.  

He said checkpoints were put up and patrol operations launched to prevent the suspects from escaping.

Duterte couple’s kidnapper falls

Meanwhile, a suspect in the kidnapping of a couple in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in March last year was arrested in Baliguian town on Tuesday.

Hambali Jamad, alias Jomas, was collared in Barangay Nonoyan at around 4 a.m. based on a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 27  Judge Laarni Dajao. 

Jamad was allegedly among those who took Jose Duterte, 62, and his wife Jessica, 52, from their home in Barangay Sta. Maria. The victims remain in the hands of the kidnappers.

It was not known if the couple are related to the President.

Jamad is said to be with the group of Roger Kalas, with aliases of Tiguan, One Eye and Abu Anhar.