Most wanted 'kidnapper' nabbed

BY Jeehan V. Fernandez

A National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF)'s most wanted person with a reward of P500,000 on his head was nabbed at a quarry site in Brgy. Cabilauan, New Lucena, Iloilo at about 9:15 a.m. of January 13.

Isaac J. Sustiger, 40, married and a native of said place was arrested by joint operatives of Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER-Visayas) led by S/Insp. Sofronio L. Fusin, Jr and Regional Intelligence Office (RIO-6) under C/Insp. Samuel C. Nacion.

The arrest was done through direct supervision of Supt. Tom T. Bañas of Police Regional Office (PRO-6). This was made by virtue of a warrant in Criminal Case No. 10151 for Violation of R.A. 267 otherwise known as Kidnapping with Ransom.

There was no bail recommended in the warrant issued by Hon. Judge Pablo B. Francisco of Branch 24, Biñan RTC, Laguna, 4 th Judicial Region, dated June 26, 1998 .

Nacion stressed the apprehension was the result of surveillance and casing operations on the suspect since November 2004. He added that police had monitored Sustiger having gone home, however there is no information regarding his group.

Sustiger was alleged to be the leader of the Sustiger Group that figured in the kidnap-for- ransom and murder of Mrs. Sixta Alibudbud in Tatlong Hari St. , Sta. Rosa, Laguna on December 5, 1997 .

PRO-6 director Chief Supt. George L. Aliño noted the group demanded P2.5 million from the family of the victim. Sustiger evaded arrest in the dragnet conducted by police during the pay-off and sought refuge from different places in Luzon until his capture.

Authorities said that two of his companions, Roman Sustiger and Maria Sustiger were already arrested by elements of RIO-6 in 1998 while the others are still at large.