Alleged kidnap gang member nabbed in Sultan Kudarat

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – Government agents arrested a suspected member of a kidnap-for-ransom gang operating in Central Mindanao on Wednesday morning, police said.

Superintendent Berney Condes, head of the South Cotabato police’s intelligence and investigation division, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Thursday that Pendatun Kusa was arrested at a checkpoint in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province.

Condes said Kusa, who was driving a motorcycle, was recognized by policemen manning the checkpoint and arrested him on the strength of an outstanding warrant.

He described the suspect as a member of a gang preying on rich businessmen in the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.

Condes said among the cases that Kusa was involved in was the November kidnapping of Grace Eleuterio, 39, operator of Denmark Transport Coop.

Eleuterio was freed four days later after her family reportedly paid an undetermined amount of money.

Chief Inspector Alexis Yap said Kusa was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by a Surallah town judge in connection with the Eleuterio kidnapping.

“We have a photo of him so it was not difficult for our troops to identify him,” he said.