The three suspects, supposedly belonging to the notorious Dampac gang operating in the Lanao del Sur towns of Kalawi, Pualas, Bayang and Madalum, were cornered by pursuing lawmen hours after the incident in Barangay Purob, Pualas town. They are now detained at the Lanao del Norte provincial jail.
Police said the suspects gave themselves up to prevent being lynched by villagers who got enraged after learning that their victim, Nasrullah Dimaporo, is a son of the Lanao del Norte governor.
Investigation showed that the young Dimaporo had just visited his teacher in Barangay Palao this city to inquire about his lessons, when the three suspects accosted him and stole his Honda Civic at gunpoint.
Nasrullah fought back and sustained at least 18 stab wounds in the process. The suspects dumped him in Barangay Payawan in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, after which they fled toward Lanao del Sur aboard his car.
Police launched pursuit operations immediately upon learning that the bloodied young Dimaporo was found in Balo-i town. The suspects were finally cornered in Pualas town where they were spotted filling up at a gasoline station.
Nasrullah is now under observation at a local hospital.
Meanwhile, Maranaw leaders, including Gov. Dimaporo and her husband, former governor Abdullah Dimaporo, held a meeting in Marawi City and condemned the abduction of Enrico Pelaez, son of former Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez.
The young Pelaez, snatched in Cagayan de Oro City last Nov. 23, remains in captivity.
In the meeting, the Maranaw leaders condemned their misguided Maranaw brothers who seized the young Pelaez who, they said, is a descendant of Sultan Sampurna. — Lino de la Cruz