Gov't forces nab suspect behind abduction of Italian ex-priest

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Joint government security forces captured pre-dawn Sunday the leader of the Abu Sayyaf-linked kidnap for ransom group behind the abduction of an Italian former priest in a town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, according to security officials.

The captured suspect identified as Abner Gumandol, known for the aliases Sehar Muloc and Red Eye is the leader of the criminal gang Muloc Group.

Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9), said the suspect was captured about 1 a.m. during a raid at a hideout at Barangay Kaliantan, Naga town.

Alabata said that joint personnel of the military special forces, Army and police forces, and police investigation team launched the operation and successfully captured Gumandol who has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping issued by the local court of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said Gumandol is also the leader of the kidnapping cell of the Abu Sayyaf based in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9).

The police and military officials pointed out that Gumandol led 10 gunmen that abducted Italian Rolando del Torchio last October 7 inside his Ur Choice Bistro Pizza along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Miputak in the downtown of Dipolog City.

Del Torchio was freed last April 8 in Jolo, Sulu reportedly after payment of unspecified ransom.

Gumandol was positively identified based on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage which captured the group when they barged in and took Del Torchio in his pizza parlor.

The security officials also disclosed that Gumandol’s criminal syndicate is operating in the Zamboanga del Norte towns of Salug, Liloy, Godod and Tampilisan, and was involved in extortion, shooting, robbery, kidnap for ransom and gun for hire.

According to Alabata, the group of Gumandol was also responsible for the kidnapping of Salug town Mayor Jeffrey Lim in 2012 and handed over the captive to the Abu Sayyaf Group before he was subsequently freed after payment of ransom.

Gumandol was detained at the Zamboanga Sibugay Criminal Investigation and Detection Group detention cell for proper disposition.