Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Alleged leader of kidnap gang arrested in Mindanao (3 p.m.)
MANILA -- The alleged leader of a kidnap gang that abducted an Italian missionary and a group of Chinese engineers four years ago in the southern Philippines has been captured, the military said Wednesday.
Nurham Amil of the "Pentagon Gang", which is on Washington's list of terrorist organizations, was arrested late Tuesday at a military checkpoint in Leon Postigo town in southern Zamboanga del Norte province, Philippine army chief Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon said.
Amil's group kidnapped four Chinese men, including three who were helping build an irrigation project, and their Filipino guide in June 2001 in North Cotabato province.
Four months later, they abducted Italian missionary Giuseppe "Beppe" Pierantoni in Zamboanga del Sur.
Two of the Chinese were killed by the kidnappers as they tried to escape during a clash with soldiers in August 2001.
Pierantoni was rescued unharmed in April 2002.
Amil, a former Muslim separatist guerrilla, carried a Php 500,000 US$8,920) award for his arrest.
Pierantoni, who is from Bologna in central Italy, belonged to the Sacred Heart of Jesus missionary order.
He was seized October 18, 2001 after saying Mass in his parish in Dimataling town, Zamboanga del Sur province.
Several Filipino and foreign Catholic priests have been targeted by Muslim extremists and bandits in Mindanao, home to the country's Muslim minority. (AP) |
