Town plaza of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Authorities have arrested a suspected member of a kidnap-for-ransom group during an operation in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top police official announced Wednesday.
Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga) director, identified the alleged kidnapper as Hambali Jamad alias Jomar, of Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte.
Jamad's arrest in Barangay Nonoyan in Baliguian town at about 4 a.m. Tuesday was brought about by a law enforcement operation by way of serving a warrant of arrest, Beltran said.
He said Jamad has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a regional court in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
Jamad was reportedly involved in the kidnapping of the Duterte couple -- Jose, 60 and Jessica, 52 -- in Barangay Sta. Maria in Siocon on March 3 last year. The couple owns a coconut farm in Siocon.
Beltran said the suspect is a follower of Roger Kalas, alias Tiguan, One Eye and Abu Anhar, a kidnap-for-ransom leader in Zamboanga del Norte.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, earlier disclosed that the Dutertes are among the hostages still being held by the Abu Sayyaf in the province of Sulu. (PNA)
