Man wanted for kidnapping, other crimes falls

Photo by Julliane Love de Jesus/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -‎ After 20 years in hiding, police have arrested a wanted kidnapper who was tagged in several heinous crimes in Las Piñas City, police said on Monday.

Martin Lico Jr. was arrested by the joint operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group ‎(PNP AKG) and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Sunday night for kidnapping and killing a wealthy businessman in 2012.

Senior Superintendent Renato Gumban, PNP AKG chief, said in a press briefing that Lico carried several aliases in a bid to escape from the law. He used “Romeo Buluran,” “Bogart, “Aldreen Daat,” “Sergeant Mutia,””Romeo Hernani,” and “Paul.”

Gumban said the arrested man was behind the 2012 murder of Jose Saribong and his driver in ‎Antipolo City.

He was also implicated in at least three other cases of kidnap for ransom in Metro Manila.

In 1994, Lico bolted the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, where he was jailed for homicide charge.

“He was a former member of the Alferez organized crime group and a sub-leader of the Ozamis robbery hold-up and kidnap for ransom group operating in Manila, in nearby provinces, and in Mindanao,” Gumban said.

The anti-kidnapping chief added that Lico has been involved in several heists since 2003, including the robbery of an RC Cola factory and Asia Trust Bank in Ever Gotesco in Taguig City, BPI branch in Bacoor, Cavite, Landbank and Unionbank in Timog, Quezon City, Ibank in Amorsolo, Makati City and BPI branch in Commonwealth, Quezon City.

“PNP AKG tracker teams are working double time to account and neutralize all wanted kidnappers. We are appealing also to the public to help us by providing vital information,” he said.