Police uncover plot to kill Basilan mayor

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Police said they have uncovered a plot by a criminal syndicate group to kill the mayor of Isabela City, Basilan.

The plot was discovered after the arrest of a gang member, an official said.

Superintendent Fergen Torred, chief of the Police Regional Intelligence Division, said a kidnap-for-ransom and gun-for-hire group led by Anwar Ansang has plans to assassinate Mayor Al-Qaid Akbar, son of the late Wahab Akbar and Jum Akbar, who were both members of Congress for Basilan.

Torred, in a press briefing held by the Police Regional Office 9, bared the plot following the arrest of Ryan "Ran Ran" Pausanos Sereno, a member of the Anwar Ansang Group, in Dinas town on June 7.

“The plot to kill the Isabela City mayor was traced through his phone following forensic examination,” Torred said.

The police intelligence official said authorities have yet to determine the motive for the plot against Akbar, whom he said does not have known enemies.

Operations are ongoing to find out who hired the group to kill Akbar.

Sereno is currently detained at the Dinas Municipal Police Station while police and military personnel have been sent out to track down the rest of Anwar Ansang's followers.

Torred said at least eight of the syndicate's members were neutralized — a police term for criminals either killed or arrested — in the Zamboanga Peninsula last year.