Article

2004-09-03 Southeast Asia

Less than a month after the military killed Tahir Alonto, leader of the dreaded Pentagon kidnap gang, and 15 of its members in Maguindanao, government forces shot dead his number-two man on Thursday night also in Maguindanao. Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual, Army spokesman, identified the slain successor of Alonto as Kurato Tapuyak alias Anton, who reportedly took over the leadership of one of the most notorious kidnap-for-ransom gang in Mindanao, when Alonto was killed on August 13.

Pacual said troops from the Army's 604th Infantry Brigade under Col. Jerry Jalandoni encountered Tapuyak and 17 other armed members of the Pentagon gang in barangay Kayaga, Buluan, Maguindanao. Pascual, quoting reports from the field, said Jalandoni's group and members of the Tacurong City police sighted Tapuyak and his men in the boundary of Datu Paglas and Buluan. Pascual said a brief firefight ensued, after which, members of the gang fled leaving behind the body of Tapuyak. On August 13, two Air Force MG-520 attack helicopters bombed the suspected lair of Alonto and his men in sitio Tatak, Midpandan, Sultan Kudarat Pendatun, Maguindanao to flush out suspected members of the Pentagon gang, killing Alonto and 15 of his men. Ground troops from the Marines and the elite Scout Rangers were later sent to conduct clearing operations in the area. The military said earlier that the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) played a key role in the neutralization of Alonto by supplying information about their whereabouts.

Sold 'em out, did they?

Alonto's lair is located in an area where the MILF has a significant presence. The MILF and the government earlier signed a cease-fire agreement while negotiators are crafting a political settlement. Eid "Lipless Eddie" Kabalu, MILF spokesman, said this is part of the front's commitment to help the government against organized crime and terrorism. Kabalu confirmed that the MILF provided the military information on Alonto's whereabouts.

Continued from Page 1

As for Tapuyak, Pascual said he was involved in various big-time kidnapping operations and criminal activities in Central Mindanao. Pascual cited among others the kidnapping of three-year-old Jester Horiador of barangay Tina, Tacurong City on March 25, 2003; liquidation of one MSgt. Tupas in 1998 in Buluan; hijacking of a 10-wheeler truck loaded with 700 sacks of rice in 2002 also in Buluan; killing of two city hall employees on October 25, 2003 and robbery in barangay Kayaga on May 11, 2003. Pascual said Tapuyak and suspected Pentagon gang members Michael Pompong alias Bembol Roco and Ramon Delaten have standing warrants of arrest for robbery with double homicide. âThe successful operation was the result of continuous intelligence monitoring after they escaped the bombardment in Liguasan Marsh, where Alonto and 15 of his men were [allegedly] killed [last August 13],â Jalandoni told reporters. Pursuit operations are ongoing in the area to get the other members of the gang, said Jalandoni.

Posted by Dan Darling 2004-09-03 1:11:35 PM|| || Front Page|| [10 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Geez, i read the headline, and I figure the FBI and the Anti-neocons at the CIA are REALLY playing rough = PR assault on Franklin, Feith, Chalabi, and AIPAC aint enough, now theyre killing people. Glad to see it was about PI.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-09-03 1:15:25 PM|| 2004-09-03 1:15:25 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 KfR (Kidnap for Ransom) in the Philippines is some very serious business. Too often, local authorities are in on the action which makes pursuit and interdiction nearly impossible. Notice how military troops were used to track down the perps and not police.

Common targets are wealthy Chinese or foreign nationals and their children. All of which serves to discourage offshore investment and development of existing businesses. This has had a really negative impact on the national economy as it also supresses tourism. The Pentagon gang was one of the biggest KfR groups and this takedown of their leadership is a very good thing.

Posted by Zenster 2004-09-03 2:07:25 PM|| 2004-09-03 2:07:25 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 I knew MILFs were good for something besides hunting.

Posted by Chris W. 2004-09-03 2:09:12 PM|| 2004-09-03 2:09:12 PM|| Front Page Top

14:43 Lord Garth
14:35 NoMoreBS
14:32 Crusader
14:28 NoMoreBS
14:16 Skidmark
14:10 Tom
14:09 NoMoreBS
14:04 Tom
14:02 Tom
13:55 NoMoreBS
13:52 Rex Mundi
13:49 mossomo
13:46 mossomo
13:42 illeagle
13:33 MikeKozlowski
13:03 Grom the Reflective
13:01 Abu Uluque
12:58 Super Hose
12:57 Rex Mundi
12:56 Super Hose
12:53 Super Hose
12:53 Super Hose
12:52 Super Hose
12:49 Super Hose