Police file raps vs 2 alleged sea pirates in Sultan Kudarat

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - Police authorities in Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat filed on Friday a complaint of qualified piracy against two people allegedly involved in the illegal activity. Superintendent Teng Tocao, Sultan Kudarat provincial police chief, identified those accused as Victoriano Mayormita Lingga, 39, of Barangay (village) Sedem in Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan and his aide, Giali Datumanong, 36, of Poblacion village in Kalamansig town. Lingga is already under police custody while Datumanong remains at large. SPO3 Josue Lacuata, chief investigator of the Kalamansig PNP, said that the suspects boarded the pump boat operated by a certain Gani Bernabe Talib on Sunday morning, along with three other passengers identified as Ronie Mohalao Ungklang, 28; Annalee Case Tabutol, 47; Marlee Case Staples, 42, all traders from Kalamansig town. Lacuata said that when the boat named Shamera was about to reach the shore, one of the suspects drew his gun and ordered the passengers to disembark and leave behind their belongings, including their goods. The victims immediately sought help from the village officials. A subsequent manhunt resulted in the arrest of Lingga. The village guards and officials recovered from the suspect cash amounting to P7 thousand and goods, including a sack of rice, 10 sacks of coconut, three sacks of charcoal, and 10 kilos of rice bran. - Malu Cadeliña Manar, GMANews.TV