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Friday, March 28, 2003
Suspected Pentagon members kidnap child
By Edwin G. Espejo
GENERAL SANTOS -- Armed men believed to be members of the Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom group abducted a three-year-old child of a wealthy farmer in Tacurong City late Tuesday afternoon.
Colonel Agustin Dema-ala, commanding officer of the army's 301st Brigade based in Tacurong City, said the victim lives in Barangay Tina, Tacurong City.
Dema-ala told reporters the group who abducted the three-year-old was led by a certain Alex Ampatuan, said to be the leader of the kidnap gang.
The grandfather of the victim said he arrived home at past 5 p.m. and learned that Ampatuan was waiting for him since noon.
Jublador told police investigators he greeted the suspect but was pushed back.
He said he managed to exchange fire with the suspect who drew a gun after pushing him.
No one was hurt in the ensuing brief gunfight but Ampatuan and his companions reportedly grabbed the three-year-old victim on their way to escape.
Witnesses told investigators they saw several men on board two motorcycles hurriedly left the residence of the victim.
The abductors reportedly headed towards Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao.
The victim's family later told authorities they received an extortion letter from the Pentagon group.
Military sources here said Ampatuan is now leading the Pentagon group, whose leader was slain by policemen in Cavite last year.
Alonto Tahir, whom police and military authorities claimed is one of the leaders of Pentagon, is believed holed up in his hometown in nearby Pagalungan town, also in Maguindano.
Tahir was arrested in General Santos for his role in the abduction of the Cabalida brothers sometime in 2000.
He, however, escaped from the General Santos Rehabilitation Center after suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerillas mounted a daring rescue attack.
Meanwhile, authorities in Tacurong City said they are still conducting hot pursuit operation against the abductors.
As of Thursday afternoon, it was not yet known if the kidnappers have already established contact with the victim's family. Sun.Star General Santos |
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