‘Kidnapper, drug personality' nabbed in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two people, including an alleged kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) member, were arrested in separate law enforcement operations here in Region 9, a top police official said Wednesday.

Arrested were Asbi Samdani, 39, a member of the Barahama Alih group; and Ian Somoza, 23, according to a report of the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9).

Both the police and military authorities tagged the Barahama Alih group as involved in kidnappings, robbery holdups, contract killings, and other organized atrocities.

Police Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, said Samdani was arrested around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Osukan, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte.

Licup said Samdani has a standing warrant of arrest for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 with no bail bond recommended issued on June 6, 2019 by the court of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Police said grenade was recovered from the possession of Samdani when he was arrested by a joint team of policemen and soldiers.

Somoza was arrested in another law enforcement operation through a search warrant for violation of R.A. 9165 early Tuesday in Purok Matibay, Barangay Candiis in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, police said.

Police said Somoza, who yielded sachets of suspected shabu, is listed as the number six drug personality in Malangas. (PNA)