PNP anti-kidnap group's 2nd most wanted falls in Las Piñas

November 26, 2020 - Thursday 8:11 PM by PNA

MANILA – A member of a kidnap-for-ransom gang (KFRG) was arrested Wednesday in Las Piñas City, the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Thursday.

AKG director, Brig. Gen. Jonel Estomo, identified the suspect as Elpidio Edusma, listed as the AKG's second most wanted person, inside a subdivision in Barangay Pulang Lupa on Wednesday afternoon.

Edusma is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Agoo, La Union Regional Trial Court (RTC) in October 2019 for charges of kidnapping for ransom with no bail recommended.

AKG spokesperson Maj. Ronaldo Lumactod said the suspect was a hardcore member of the dreaded Lappay KFRG, operating in Region 1 in 2014.

The group was behind the kidnapping of Engr. Ricky Accay, a prominent businessman in the region, on June 30, 2014.

During the process of negotiations, the kidnappers demanded PHP5 million for his liberty and later reduced to PHP700,000, to which the relatives of the victim conceded. The victim was eventually released on July 2, 2014.

Lumactod said the suspect was monitored from all his relocations up to his present location as his group reportedly went on a hiatus due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“The PNP AKG proved once again that the long arms of the law still exist. It was the group's vast experience in dealing with criminality that made things possible,” Estomo said.

The suspect was brought to the AKG office in Camp Crame for booking procedures and interrogation prior to his turnover to the court. Christopher Lloyd Caliwan