2 KFR gang members arrested

Two suspected members of the Waray-Waray kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) gang were arrested in Leyte last Tuesday, the chief of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) said.

Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon identified the suspects as Jonathan Riños, 30, and his elder brother Gerardo, 43, both residents of Barangay Inayupan, Javier, Leyte.

Teresita Ang See, president of the Citizens Action Against Crime (CAAC), said the Riñoses’ arrest has apparently "hurt" ransom kidnappings since there have been no incidents since they were caught.

Calderon said the two brothers were arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by Malolos City Judge Guillermo Agloro for kidnapping-for-ransom without bail.

The Riñoses also had another arrest warrant for robbery with P100,000 bail each.

Authorities tagged the young Riños as the leader of one of the sub-groups of the Waray-Waray gang behind 16 kidnappings, including last year’s foiled abduction of businessman Shirmon Choa of Valenzuela City that led to his death.

Calderon said the Riñoses had been under surveillance for several months prior to their arrest.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao lauded PACER for the arrest and recommended the spot promotion of Superintendents Edgar Iglesia and Guillermo Salazar to senior superintendent.

Ang See also commended the PNP for recently neutralizing three kidnap-for-ransom groups with the arrest of their members believed responsible for at least 25 abductions and murder.