Unfazed by the government’s pledge to quash terrorists and kidnap-for-ransom syndicates, suspected Pentagon gangmen abducted three women in Davao City the other day.
The victims were identified as Ma. Cecilia "Chiqui" Bonifacio, 24, daughther of a car dealer in the city; her secretary Fe Jayno and her aunt Norma Jayno.
The victims were reportedly aboard a van when five Pentagon gangmen blocked them on a highway and forced them at gunpoint into their getaway vehicle, a light blue Toyota RAV 4 with license plates LDM 555.
Citing intelligence reports, Southern Mindanao police director Senior Superintendent Bartolome Baluyot said the Pentagon gang composed mostly of former Muslim separatist rebels was behind the kidnapping.
Pursuit operations have been launched while checkpoints were set up on major highways in the whole region to intercept the kidnappers, Baluyot said.
"There is an ongoing operation, but we cannot give out details because it could jeopardize everything," Senior Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia said.
Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commander of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command based in Zamboanga City, said the abduction took place at about noontime in the vicinity of Sasa wharf.
Cimatu said the abduction was reported to his office by Teresita Pascual, manager of Bonifacio Motors in Davao City owned by Chiqui’s father.
Chiqui reportedly called up Pascual by cellular phone to relay the kidnappers’ demand for P5 million in ransom.
Cimatu said elements of the Philippine National Police’s National Anti-Crime Task Force have been mobilized to track down the kidnappers.
The Pentagon gang was still holding Italian priest Fr. Giuseppe Pierantoni who was captured in Zamboanga del Sur in October.
The same group abducted four Chinese nationals and a Filipino guide last year.
Two of the Chinese were killed as they tried to flee during a military rescue attempt.
One Chinese escaped while the fourth was freed allegedly after paying ransom.
Abu Sayyaf bandits were also holding American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and a Filipino nurse Deborah Yap in Basilan. — Edith Regalado, Roel Pareño