Kidnap gang leader, 45 others arrested in Lanao Norte

COTABATO CITY – Police are holding dozens of people, including a notorious leader of a kidnap-for-ransom gang, after they were intercepted at a roadblock in Lanao del Norte’s Sultan Naga Dimaporo town, security officials said.

Photos released by the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the Western Mindanao Command show those arrested by security forces, among them a notorious criminal gang leader Esmail Wali, after they were intercepted at a roadblock in Lanao del Norte's Sultan Naga Dimaporo town. 

Officials said soldiers and policemen recovered over a dozen assorted weapons and explosives, including rifle grenades and a sniper rifle; and some P42,900 cash from the group. Among those arrested was Esmail Wali, leader of the criminal Macari Group. 

The Western Mindanao Command confirmed the report and said among those arrested were two employees of the municipal government of Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur province - Tristan Baguio and Resil Revillas - and the pickup truck used by Wali is owned by the municipal government. 

Wali was with 45 other people onboard a pickup truck and a dump truck when stopped by security forces on Wednesday evening in the village of Tagulo. Wali’s vehicle 

The operation was mounted by the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion, the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the Lanao del Norte Police Office after receiving reports of Wali’s presence in the group. 

“Esmael Wali, alias Commander, is the third leader of the Macari criminal group since it was organized sometime in the 1980s. Since then, the group was known for conducting criminal activities like kidnap-for-ransom, extortion and as a private armed group-for- hire during election seasons. As such, this group was believed to be hired from the nearby provinces of Lanao del Norte during the elections and on their way of home,” the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, under Col. Juliues Librada, said. 

The municipal government of Midsalip has not issued any statement on Wali’s use of its official vehicle and the arrest of the two employees. (Mindanao Examiner)