1 out of 6 kidnapping suspects nabbed in Zamboanga City

One of at least six suspects involved in a farmer's kidnapping in the town of Sirawai, Zamboanga Norte province was arrested by the military on Tuesday, October 28.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Head of the Western Mindanao Command, confirmed the capture of Anerson Manambahi Tungayao, aka Ganison, a member of a local crime group who has links to Abu Sayyaf leader Injam Yadah.

Rex Tripliit, the farmer who was kidnapped, positively identified Tungayao as one of his captors.

Tungayao is a resident of Tapanayan village of Sirawai, where Tripliit, who was mistakenly reported as an American citizen, has been held captive last September 16.

Tungayao was apprehended by soldiers and policemen at the coastal village of Arena Blanco and was brought to the headquarters of the police's anti-kidnapping group in Camp Batalla.

Authorities are still looking for five more suspects involved in the kidnapping.

Words by Lalaine Vergara

Layout by Kiziah Magbanua