Alleged hitman of kidnap-for-ransom group nabbed in Caloocan

An alleged hitman of a kidnap-for-ransom group was arrested in Caloocan City on September 15, the Philippine National Police - Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Thursday.

Authorities identified the suspect as Diosito Sagrada, a former member of the Philippine Army and the alleged hitman of the Pangilinan kidnap-for-ransom group which was linked to gun-for-hire and kidnapping activities in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Police served a warrant of arrest against Sagrada in a residence in Barangay 186 for the crime of kidnapping with homicide, which was issued by Honorable Lumina Roque, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 of the 4th Judicial Region of San Pablo City.

Authorities said Sagrada's last known assignment in the military was at the 8th Infantry Division in San Miguel, Leyte before he went AWOL in 1995, or five years after he joined the military.

Police said members of the group, led by one Mel Pangilinan, had gone into hiding for several years. Most of them are still at large and subjects of the manhunt operation of law enforcers.

Sagrada was brought to the AKG headquarters in Camp Crame for tactical interrogation, disposition and documentation. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News