Suspect in 1997 kidnapping case falls in Surigao Sur

MANILA, Philippines - Police have arrested an alleged member of a kidnap-for-ransom group responsible for the abduction of a businessman in Parañaque City in 1997 during follow-up operations in Surigao del Sur, a report reaching Camp Crame said Thursday. Nabbed was Nestor “Boy" Lanyujan, 48, reportedly a member of the Pepino kidnap-for-ransom group whose leader was already arrested in another operation a few years ago. Lanyujan was arrested by police intelligence operatives at his house in Barangay [village] Salvacion, San Austin town on Tuesday after the cops were tipped of his presence in the area. A police background check on Lanyujan revealed that he was among those responsible for the abduction of businessman Edward Tan on June 28, 1997 in Parañaque City. Other personalities involved in the kidnapping of Tan were George Corvera, Luisito “Tata" Adulfo, Jessie “Gingging" Pepino, Nerio Almeda and alias Wilan Tan. But the police said Pepino, the alleged leader, was already arrested. The incident made Lanyujan included in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) list of most wanted kidnappers where a P175,000 was placed on his head. The report showed Lanyujan was arrested by virtue of the arrest warrant issued by a Parañaque City judge in connection with the Tan kidnapping. He is now detained at San Agustin Police station and will be turned over to the Paranaque City court where he is facing the case. - GMANews.TV