30 kidnap group members, leaders nabbed since January

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said law enforcers collared a total of 30 suspected members of various kidnap-for-ransom groups from January to November this year.

Senior Superintendent Rene Aspera, Chief of Staff of the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group, said that among those arrested during the past 11 months were Tyrone dela Cruz and his live-in partner Jean Loise Bitoy. They were captured last November 7 in Barangay Bahi, Alburquerque, Bohol.

The warrant for the arrest of the couple was issued by Judge Alberto Serrano of the Regional Trial Court Branch 92, Calamba City, Laguna.

Dela Cruz heads the Dela Cruz kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG), which is allegedly responsible for at least six kidnappings in Metro Manila and Region 4.

The PNP also reported the arrest of Reccinte Padillo last October 16 in Pasay City, after a Quezon City judge issued the arrest for his warrant.

Padillo's group is suspected of carrying out the widely publicized kidnapping of Sally Chua on July 5, 2013 in Quezon City.

DILG Undersecretary Tomasito Villarin said that the PNP-AKG’s accomplishments were a result of Secretary Mar Roxas’ implementation of the "whole of PNP approach" in targeting criminals.

"This was made possible through Sec. Roxas’ focused, deliberate, and programmatic approach," Villarin  said.

Architect Ka Kuen Chua, chairperson of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order and Teresita Ang-See, the group's founding chairperson, in turn expressed their gratitude to the DILG and the PNP for the arrests.

"We recognize the invaluable contributions of Secretary Roxas and PNP Chief General Alan Purisima for this very much welcome development," Ang-See said.