Policemen on Thursday arrested an alleged leader of a kidnap-for-ransom ring in Baloi town, Lanao del Norte.
According to a statement from Police Regional Office-10 (PRO10), the suspect, whom it identified only as ‘Lucky 9,’ was arrested in Barangay Angandog of Baloi town on force of three warrants; one for kidnapping, another for frustrated murder, and still another for illegal possession of firearms.
No bail had been set for his temporary liberty.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession were an M14 rifle, six 7.62mm magazines with 125 rounds of live ammunition, an M1911 .45-caliber pistol, and a Baofeng handheld radio.
According to the police, the suspect was implicated in kidnapping incidents in 2013 and 2014. Before his arrest, the suspect was said to be a logistics operator for the remnants of the Islamic State-linked Maute Group, ‘procuring firearms, medicines, and food supplies to sustain terrorist operations in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and neighboring provinces.’
The suspect is now under the custody of the Baloi municipal police station.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, acting regional police director, said the arrest of ‘Lucky 9’ will cripple the logistical and recruitment networks of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group not only in Northern Mindanao but also in nearby provinces