ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two more suspected kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) members were arrested while some PHP1.2 million of illegal drugs were seized in a joint law enforcement operation Thursday in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, military officials said.
The arrest of the two suspects came a day after three of their alleged cohorts were collared by authorities in the province.
Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the arrested suspects as Hashim Samdani and Jay-ar Quartocruz, who are allegedly members of the Barahama Alih group notorious for kidnap-for-ransom and illegal drug trade activities in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Templonuevo said the pair was arrested in a follow-up law enforcement operation around 10 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Seized from the possession of Samdani and Quartocruz were some 600 grams of suspected shabu packed in several heat-sealed plastic sachets with an estimated market value of PHP1.2 million, police said.
They were arrested by a team consisting of the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion, local police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine Coast Guard.
Col. Bagnus Gaerlan Jr., commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the duo's arrest forms part of the military's "continuing effort with other law enforcement agencies against the lawless groups. We will ensure that the long arms of the law will catch all of them and bring them to the bar of justice”.
Wednesday's arrest of their three cohorts in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, yielded 1.5 kilograms of suspected shabu worth PHP10.2 million, guns, explosives, and ammunition. (PNA)
