2 Army officers held for kidnapping

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Two military officers and two of their alleged civilian accomplices tagged in a recent kidnapping case were arrested following a clash with police early Friday.

Captured were Maj. Mikunug Tangote, officer in charge of the military police battalion of the 4th Infantry Division (ID) based in Camp Edilberto Evangelista here; Cpl. Harvey Borreta, member of the intelligence platoon of the 4th ID and civilians Drisha Mojamad and Yahya Tomawis.

Police said the four 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 received intelligence reports that the P5-million ransom for the release of Ali would change hands here last Thursday.

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 license plate No. LMH-314 when they were intercepted by police past midnight on Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, this city.

Tangote’s group, a police report said, resisted arrest, leading to a gunfight between the suspects and police that ended near a mall here with the arrest of the suspects. 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, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the joint Task Force Ranao were now preparing charges against the suspected kidnappers.

Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 4th ID spokesperson, said the Army would not interfere in the police investigation of the arrested major and corporal.

“We will not meddle in the investigation,” said Osias, quoting Maj. Gen. Victor Feliz, 4th ID chief, as saying.

Police in North Cotabato had said kidnappings continue with impunity in the area because of the protection given by politicians and other officials in the military and police.

The most recent kidnapping case was that of three South Koreans who were freed by a still unidentified armed group.

The Koreans were seized on Oct. 21 and freed weeks later. It wasn’t clear if authorities had paid the ransom. JB R. Deveza, Inquirer Mindanao