ZAMBOANGA CITY--A team of police and military operatives arrested an alleged kidnapper in Zamboanga Sibugay town of Alicia over the weekend, an official said Monday.
Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr., Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, identified the suspect as Akmad Manguda Pagalala, 44, an alleged member of the Kiang Balimbingan group, who was nabbed in a law enforcement operation around 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Lapirawan, Alicia town.
Cambay said Pagalala has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with no recommended bail issued by a regional court in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.
In April 2018, police filed charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Kiang Balimbingan, the group’s leader, and seven of his followers, as well as several John Does. Police named one of those charged as Akmad Manguda.
Police identified the other suspects as Salahodin Esmael, Al Muag, Anwar Ansang, Jay-ar Palada, Al Jalil Sanday, and Uya Dama Munagen.
The suspects have been tagged responsible for the April 3, 2018 kidnapping of Laarni Buen, secretary of the Celebes Marine Product firm in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Buen, 38, was released on May 31, 2018.
Cambay said that Pagalala is now under the temporary custody of Malangas police. (PNA)
