Zambo Norte police arrest village official involved in kidnapping, extortion, robbery

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 27): Zambo Norte police arrest village official involved in kidnapping, extortion, robbery

The police authorities have arrested a barangay official who was allegedly involved in last week’s kidnapping of a businesswoman in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte, an official announced Tuesday.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, identified the arrested suspect as Isnain Yacob alias Bating, 38, a councilor in Barangay Balubuan, Sirawai town.

Beltran said Yacob was arrested around 10:45 p.m. Monday in Barangay Poblacion, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Beltran said Yacob was involved since the suspect served as the lookout in the kidnapping of Martina Yee, 69, on September 19 in Barangay Poblacion, Sirawai town.

Yee was at her hardware when six gunmen barged in and seized her. Government troops rescued Yee on September 21 in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu.

Beltran said the arrest of Yacob came after the police received information that a certain “Bating” who is involved in the series of extortion and robbery incidents was sighted in front of the Cultural and Exhibition Center in Barangay Poblacion, Siocon.

The quadrangle in front of the Cultural and Exhibition Center is frequented by people since it serves as the temporary bus terminal of Siocon town.

Beltran said the Siocon policemen arrested “Bating” who turned out to be Isnain Yacob after they conducted close monitoring, verification and validation.

He said Yacob, when arrested, was in possession of a caliber .45 pistol with seven live ammunition and a mobile phone “with contacts.”

He disclosed that records of the police in Zamboanga del Norte showed that Yacob was involved in the series of extortion and robbery in Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian towns known as the triple “SB” areas.

He said that records showed Yacob was also involved in the 2013 highway robbery along the national road of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte that resulted in the death of a truckman and the burning of a softdrinks delivery truck.

He said the suspect was detained while appropriate charges are being prepared to be filed against him.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=926597