Cops hold 3 Bravo followers in kidnap

COTABATO CITY – Police are holding three suspected followers of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Abdullah Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, who seized a Mindanao State University official last week in Lanao del Sur.

Senior Supt. Danilo Bacas, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police spokesperson, told the Inquirer by phone that the suspects, identified as Yusoph Rangar of Iligan City; Sahaludin Suong and Jaber Sultan, both residents of Saguiran town, admitted that they were hired by men identified with Commander Bravo to kidnap Hipolito Miñoza, MSU budget officer.

Bacas said the suspects’ getaway vehicle, a Toyota Corolla with license plate PLN-507, was also recovered.

Bacas said the three suspects were arrested during a pursuit operation hours after the abduction of Miñoza on Oct. 16 in Saguiran town, but their arrest was only made known to media Monday.

Miñoza, 54, was driving home with his wife to Iligan City from the MSU campus in Marawi City when armed men flagged him down in Barangay Bubong in Saguiaran. (By Jeoffrey Maitem; INQ.net)