ANTI-kidnapping policemen arrested on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, one of the suspects in the kidnapping of Filipino-American farmer Rex Triplitt.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-kidnapping Group Director Jonel Estomo said Anerson Tungayao was arrested around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday along the shoreline of Barangay Arena Blanco in Zamboanga City.

The suspect was allegedly carrying an M16 assault rifle upon his arrest.

Another target of the operation, Inijam Yadah who was reported to be an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, eluded arrest.

The suspects were tagged in the kidnapping of Triplitt in Zamboanga del Norte on September 16. Triplitt was rescued in a daring police-military operation on September 30, 2020.

The operation was conducted by the AKG-Mindanao Field Office, Police Regional Office 9 Intelligence Division, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, Military Intelligence Group 9 and Regional Maritime Unit 9.

Estomo said the suspects disguise themselves as construction workers when conducting kidnapping, extortion and other criminal activities, mostly victimizing local businessmen in the Zamboanga Peninsula area. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)