An Indian national suspected of being the leader of a kidnap-for-ransom gang victimising compatriots has been arrested in the Philippines, an immigration official said Tuesday.
Kulwant Singh was apprehended on Jan 24 at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport where he was about to board a flight for Singapore en route to New Delhi.
Alipio Fernandez, chief commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, said immigration agents seized spurious travel documents, including a fake re-entry permit and exit clearance certificate, from Singh.
Prior to the arrest, the immigration bureau had repeatedly summoned Singh to answer allegations he has been using aliases and was involved in kidnapping activities.
"He has been transferring residence from one place to another, which made it difficult for our operatives to track him down," Fernandez said.
"According to intelligence reports, Singh is one of the brains of a kidnap syndicate that victimises Indian nationals residing in eastern Metro Manila and nearby Rizal province," he added.
The immigration bureau has also launched a manhunt for another Indian national believed to be one of Singh's accomplices in the kidnapping activities.
A day before Singh was arrested, a 45-year-old Indian businessman was rescued in San Mateo town in Rizal province, just east of Manila. One suspect was killed, while three others, including an Indian national, were arrested during the rescue operation.
{{/usCountry}}A day before Singh was arrested, a 45-year-old Indian businessman was rescued in San Mateo town in Rizal province, just east of Manila. One suspect was killed, while three others, including an Indian national, were arrested during the rescue operation.
{{/usCountry}}Police were still investigating if Singh was behind the kidnapping.
The immigration bureau said other Indian nationals have gone to the police and identified the suspects as among those who kidnapped them last year.