Saturday, May 06, 2006
Kidnap gang member falls
By Aquiles Zonio
OPERATIVES of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Central Mindanao police recently arrested an alleged member of the Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom gang who is included in the list of most-wanted persons in the country.
Police Regional Office intelligence chief for Soccsksargen Willie Dangane told reporters that the suspect identified as Karutin Montawal alias Kautin Mamangkong was nabbed in Alunan Avenue, Koronadal City Wednesday night last week after several weeks of surveillance.
Dangane said Montawal is facing a string of car theft and kidnapping with serious illegal detention cases.
He added that the suspect has a P175,000 bounty on his head per memorandum circular 2002-39 issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Montawal was reportedly part of the Pentagon gang that abducted Chinese national Zhiang Zhuong Quiang in 2001 in Matalam, Cotabato.
The suspect was reportedly involved in the kidnapping of six Philippine National Oil Company employees in January 1997, Manuel Ang of Tacurong City in 2003 and Zoila Kansi of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat in 2004.
Montawal admitted his participation in the kidnapping activities of the Pentagon kidnap gang.
However, the suspect claimed he left the group and went his own way.
Police said Montawal led a group of carjackers.
During tactical interrogation, Montawal squealed the name of his colleague who is allegedly a member of a big carnap syndicate operating in the region.
Montawal's revelation led to the arrest of Ruben Tio alias Poloy during follow-up operation in Koronadal City last Thursday morning.
Tio admitted his ties with a big syndicate involved in carnapping and gunrunning activities.
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(May 1, 2006 issue)
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