Kidnap suspect slain in rescue op

A suspected kidnapper was killed while three others were arrested during the rescue of a businessman’s son and his nanny in Marawi City on Friday.

Two police officers were wounded in the incident that left Jun Naser Barao of Madulum, Lando del Sur dead.

Arrested were Michelle Awtin Mercedes, Mante Sultan Macaantal and Deleon Gumagadong.

Senior Superintendent Gervacio Balmaceda, spokesman for the Police Regional Office 10, said the raiding team recovered the P500,000 ransom, a Tamaraw FX, a pistol, a hand grenade and four mobile phones from the suspects.

Balmaceda said the boy and his nanny were seized in Barangay Bugo, Cagayan de Oro on Feb. 12.

An informant led members of the Cagayan de Oro and Lanao del Sur police, regional intelligence unit and anti-kidnapping group to the suspects’ hideout in Barangay Matampay.

A shootout erupted between the lawmen and the suspects, wounding Senior Inspector Ramsis Cartagena and Police Officer 3 Jermy Rivera.

Abus free student

In Sulu, Abu Sayyaf bandits released on Saturday a student they mistook for the son of a wealthy family.

Omar Carlo Masdal, 20, was freed at around 11 a.m. following negotiations initiated by some members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), according to Joint Task Group Sulu chief Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado.

Police said Masdal, reportedly a nephew of the late MNLF leader Habier Malik, was seized on Feb. 14 in Barangay Buanza, Indanan by Abdel de la Cruz, said to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf’s Ajang-ajang.

Masdal reunited with his family after a week in captivity.