2 Army officers, 2 others nabbed for kidnap of CDO trader

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Four suspected kidnappers, including an Army major and a corporal, were arrested by police authorities here after a 30-minute gun battle early Friday morning.

The suspects were identified as Maj. Mikunug Tangote, officer-in-charge of the military police battalion of the 4th Infantry Division based in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Barangay Patag here; Corporal Harvey Borreta, a member of the intelligence platoon of the Headquarters Support Battalion of the 4th ID; and civilians Drisha Mojamad and Yahya Tomawis.

Police believe the suspects were involved in the Nov. 29 kidnapping in Marawi City of businessman Ibrahim Ali, according to Chief Supt. Francisco Cristobal Jr., head of Task Force Ranao.

Cristobal said authorities had received intelligence reports that the P5-million ransom for the release of Ali would change hands in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday night.

Cristobal said the task force coordinated with Cagayan Oro City police director Senior Supt. Gerardo Rosales to mount a joint operation to intercept the suspects.

Tangote, Tomawis, and Mojamad were on board a red Mazda sedan with plate number LMH 314 when they were intercepted by police authorities at about 1 a.m. along Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, this city.

Tangote’s group, a subsequent police report said, resisted arrest, which resulted in a running gun battle that ended near the SM Mall here and the apprehension of the suspects at around 1:30 a.m.

Borreta, the alleged “spotter” for the group, was arrested later.

Authorities said they received reports that Ali had been released although this was still being confirmed.

Rosales said the Police Anti Crime Emergency Response (Pacer), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 10 and the Joint Task Force Ranao were now preparing charges against the suspected kidnappers.

Faced with the possible involvement of Army officers in the kidnapping, 4th ID spokesperson Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV said the Army would not interfere with the ongoing investigation of the police. “As instructed by Maj. Gen. Victor Felix (4th ID chief), we will not meddle in the police investigation,” Osias said.