Kidnap gang leader nabbed in Masbate

LEGASPI CITY — Police intelligence operatives arrested the country’s no. 4 most wanted kidnap-for-ransom gang leader on Tuesday morning in San Pascual, Masbate.

Chief Superintendent Jaime Lasar, Bicol police regional director, identified the suspects as Vilmor Catamco, 33, an Army corporal in Barangay Bulod in San Pascual town, Masbate.

Lasar said the suspect did not resist the arrest by operatives from the Regional Intelligence Unit, the Provincial Intelligence Group, and elements of San Pascual police unit led by Police Senior Inspector Rhoderick Campo and Senior Inspector Ronaldo Fulo, San Pascual police chief.

The arrest of the suspect was covered by a warrant issued by Judge Teresa de la Torre-Yadao last April 30 under criminal case No. Q-02-1065748. No bail bond was recommended.

"We will aggressively support the order of President Arroyo to dismantle the kidnap-for-ransom gangs operating in our area of operation in Bicol," stressed Lasar during an interview.

Major Jose Broso, group commander of the Civil Relations Service Group in Southern Luzon, denied earlier radio reports that the suspect was connected with the CRS in Bicol.