By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - Zamboanga Peninsula’s 16th most wanted man
and the “number one suspected drug trafficker” in Zamboanga del Sur were among
the 109 persons arrested by the police in the region, according to Police
Regional Office IX directort Gen. Juanito Vaño Jr. during a radio interview
recently.
Talib
Asaali, alias “Commander Talib / Saguksuk” was arrested in Payao, Zamboanga
Sibugay last June 18 for multiple and frustrated murder and theft. Firearms of
both high and low calibers were recovered from his possession.
Police
have also arrested Zamboanga del Sur’s suspected top drug trafficker,
Saripuddin Taup alias “Kulot” in the municipality of Labangan, Zamboanga del
Sur. The two suspects, as well as suspected members of some kidnap-for-ransom
groups were among the 109 persons arrested for different crimes from January to
June 25, said Gen. Vaño.
The
police director also shared that a total of 448 high and low-caliber firearms
were confiscated during the election period.
Meanwhile,
Gen. Vaño disclosed that kidnapping incidents are on the rise in Zamboanga
Peninsula. Police records show that there were six abduction cases reported
from January to June this year.Three of the victims were rescued or released,
while three more are still held captive.
The
police director said that victims were usually kidnapped for ransom. However,
as discovered in some cases, personal grudges were purportedly the causes. In
any case, Gen. Vaño appealed to the public to share any information with the
local police to help them rescue the victims the earliest possible time. (PIA9)