1.   Despite a nationwide hunt for the kidnap gang, not a trace of them was found.

2.   Police arrest suspected leader of notorious kidnap gang operating in southern Philippines.

3.   Police sources said the kidnap gang is composed mostly of active duty and dismissed police officers and soldiers.

4.   A government crackdown on kidnapping has resulted in a two-month lull in abductions, but kidnap gangs remain in the southern Philippines, where Muslim separatists operate.

5.   Ang See said at least four other people remain in the hands of kidnap gangs.

6.   Antara said a man, accused of being a member of the kidnap gang, had been arrested.

7.   Baluyot said intelligence shows the abduction was carried out by a kidnap gang called the Pentagon, which is also holding Italian priest Giuseppe Pierantoni.

8.   Brig. Gen. Ronnie Benedicto, deputy chief of the Southern Command, said the military believes the camp is a sanctuary for kidnap gangs.

9.   Brig. Gen. Ronnie Benedicto, deputy chief of the Southern Command, said the military believes the rebel camp in Pikit is a sanctuary for kidnap gangs.

10.   But an officer of the national police headquarters said the report was being checked by members of a task force against kidnap gangs.