The terminal is the main base of the Eleuterio-managed Denmark Transport Cooperative, which operates a fleet of passenger vans plying this city and key areas in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato provinces.
The suspects initially opened fire inside the transport terminal, killing one of the employees identified as Melvin Fontillon, 21, and wounded Dennis Eleuterio, the kidnap victim’s husband.
She was released unharmed by the kidnappers five days later in a remote village in Bagumbayan town in Sultan Kudarat after her family allegedly paid an undisclosed ransom.
Condes said they tracked down the suspect based on reports provided by their informants in the area.
He said they decided to bring in the suspect, in coordination with elements from the Tacurong City police station and the South Cotabato Police Public Safety Company, after confirming his identity.[]
Police earlier described the suspects in the Eleuterio kidnapping as part of a lawless armed group responsible for a string of armed robberies and criminal activities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces in the past several years.
According to police records, Kusa was earlier charged with kidnapping and murder in connection with the Eleuterio abduction.
The charges were docketed as case number 5435 before the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Roberto Ayco in Surallah town in South Cotabato.
Condes said the suspect is currently in their custody pending the ongoing tactical interrogation.[]