8th most notorious kidnap gang leader captured

Anti-kidnapping agents captured last Monday the country’s eighth most wanted kidnapper during a raid in his hideout in Quezon City.

Teddy Padre, who carried a P500,000 bounty on his head, was arrested in a house along Commonwealth Avenue on the strength of a warrant issued by the Pasay City regional trial court.

President Arroyo, who presented the handcuffed Padre to reporters at Malacañang, has been trying to highlight her anti-crime record ahead of a May 10 presidential vote, in which she is seeking a full six-year term.

She said 71 kidnap gang members had now been arrested or killed since she ordered a massive crackdown last October and the creation of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF). Nine of those were killed while resisting arrest.

An informant who saw Padre’s picture in a NAKTF infomercial on television led agents to his hideout, the President added.

NAKTF chief Gen. Angelo Reyes said the informant would remain anonymous, but would be given the P500,000 reward.

Reyes presented Padre to Mrs. Arroyo at the Presidential Security Group headquarters at Malacañang Park yesterday.

Reyes said NAKTF will not stop until they have "neutralized" all kidnappers in the country. "Nine captured and no signs of losing momentum," he said.

"We have gained another ground against kidnapping in the country with the capture of Teddy Padre. I laud the elements of the PNP intelligence group, the Central Police District, and NAKTF who took part in the operation leading to the capture of Padre," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo said NAKTF under Reyes has effectively used the "dedicated manhunt" strategy in going after kidnapping gangs.

"No dedicated manhunt for kidnappers (in the past), that’s the difference," she said.

"Now it’s dedicated manhunt and what’s good here is the strong support of the community in providing tips and information to authorities," the Chief Executive added.

Police have tagged Padre as the mastermind in the abduction of businesswoman Marianne de la Rosa on March 27 last year along A. Bonifacio street in Biñan, Laguna. De la Rosa later escaped.

NAKTF said Padre’s arrest was part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by the President against kidnap gangs.

Padre is the ninth kidnap gang leader to be arrested or killed by NAKTF agents since December.

Roberto Yap, a medical doctor who headed a gang that preyed mostly on rich Chinese-Filipino families, was killed in late November in an alleged shootout in Pampanga.

Allan Niegas, the fourth most wanted kidnapping suspect, was captured last Dec. 4; Vilmore Catamco, No. 5, on Dec. 3; Joselim Amuco, No. 7, on Dec. 15; Reynaldo Cachi, No. 8, on Jan. 24; Joer Abonales, No. 15, on Jan. 27; Ronnie Tan, No. 12, on Feb. 8, and Arnel Suellen, No. 17, who was arrested last Feb. 12.

Kidnappings rose to a 10-year high last year, with at least one victim every three days, an independent crime monitoring group said.

A series of high-profile kidnapping cases also forced Mrs. Arroyo to lift a four-year moratorium on capital punishment.

Kidnappings rose to a 10-year high in 2003, with at least one victim every three days, an independent crime monitoring group said.

A series of high-profile kidnapping cases also forced Mrs. Arroyo to lift a four-year moratorium on capital punishment.

The President also said yesterday that the US government had officially thanked her and the Filipino police for freeing US businessman Joseph Onglingswan, who was held in chains for over three weeks.

The 35-year-old victim was found in the home of Hong Kong native George Yao, a resident of Bacoor, Cavite who was arrested and confessed to taking part in the 2001 kidnapping of a Briton.

"In fact, (US Secretary of State) Colin Powell called me up to congratulate you (the police) and to thank us," Mrs.Arroyo said. — With Marichu Villanueva