ZAMBOANGA 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 ON THURSDAY.

The officials also said soldiers and policemen recovered over a

dozen assorted weapons and explosives, including rifle grenades, 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 the truck and a dump truck when stopped by security forces on Wednesday evening in the village of Tagulo.

The operation was mounted by the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion, the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (5MIB) 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-forhire 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 5MIB, under Col. Julius 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.