Pamatong ‘nailed’ in Laguna

The nuisance candidate who became a nuisance to motorists by scattering steel spikes on the streets of Metro Manila was arrested yesterday on a highway in Laguna.

Elly Pamatong, who claims to have perpetrated the "spike attack" that damaged the tires of up to 169 vehicles on Monday, was arrested with seven companions before dawn by Army and police troopers at a checkpoint on Maharlika Highway, near the boundary of Laguna and Rizal.

Recovered from the group was a terrorist’s cache of military and surveillance equipment, including an M203 grenade launcher, an M-16 rifle, an Intratech machine pistol, two caliber .45 automatics, assorted ammunition, two binoculars, a sniper’s telescope and a military compass.

Also recovered was a fake American passport, said to be Pamatong’s.

Pamatong and his group will face charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, aside from the charges for their confessed involvement in the June 21 "spike attack."

Pamatong and his companions, described as his "close-in security," were in a red Honda Civic and a green Toyota Corolla when they ran into soldiers manning a checkpoint leading to Mabitac, Laguna.

During a routine search, the soldiers noted the resemblance of one of the passengers to Pamatong and what appeared to be long firearms inside the vehicles. When the convoy sped off, the soldiers alerted their superiors.

Informed of Pamatong’s possible presence, Maj. Gen. Pedro Cabuay, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, coordinated with Rizal police director Leocadio Santiago and Laguna police director Edwin Corvera in ordering roadblocks to be set up along the Laguna-Rizal border.

After a brief chase, Pamatong’s group was stopped at a roadblock in Barangay Paagahan along the Pililia-Mabitac-Siniloan diversion road.

Arrested with Pamatong were Ferdinand and Magdalena Osabel of Candelaria, Quezon; Alberto Castro, a retired police officer, of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija; Ruben Laman, a junkshop owner, of Taguig; Ernesto Domingo of Parañaque, Marlo Jonathan Planos of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, and Jonathan Avila of Quezon City.

When questioned by Cabuay, Pamatong appeared calm, even proud of his notoriety.

"He assured me that he will face the consequences of all his actions," Cabuay said.

Pamatong’s arrest came several hours after he was interviewed by television newscaster Ces Oreña Drilon at one of his hideouts.

In the interview, Pamatong, wearing a military uniform and brandishing a pistol, threatened to launch a nationwide anti-government campaign by burning schoolhouses, which he claimed are being used to teach dishonesty and corruption.

The interview appeared to be the breakthrough in the hunt for Pamatong.

"We saw him brandishing his caliber .45 handgun and even threatening to burn schools," Cabuay said, "We recognized that the location during his interview is somewhere in Rizal."

During the press conference at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal after his arrest, Pamatong claimed to be a "friend" of President Arroyo.

"I call on the President, who is my friend, to help me!" Pamatong shouted as he was being hauled back to detention.

Pamatong’s claim appears to have some merit.

During casual talk with Palace reporters yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo revealed she had met Pamatong when he was a young anti-Marcos activist. But she vowed not to intercede for Pamatong.

"I will leave to the authorities to handle his case and act in accordance with the law," she said.

Pamatong’s mental state has been the subject of speculation.

Pamatong tried to run as a candidate in the May 10 presidential elections but was disqualified by the Commission on Elections as a "nuisance candidate."

In his book "American Birthright on Trial," which he distributed to reporters and editors as a gift last December, Pamatong described himself as a Bangsamoro Christian and the President of the Discovery Crusade of the Philippines.

In his interview with Drilon, Pamatong claimed, between threats of sowing more mayhem, to be the head of the International Militia of the People against Corruption and Terrorism (IMPACT).

Pamatong, who claims to be an international human rights lawyer, fled to the United States when the late President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Pamatong has practiced law in both the Philippines and the US.

While in California, he filed a law suit against the US to obtain American citizenship for all Filipinos born during the American occupation.

An apparent expert in self-contradiction, Pamatong appears to have a love-hate relationship with the US.

Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) told The STAR that Pamatong had once come out in support of the infamous 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.

During a rally before members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in November 2001, Pamatong had reportedly called on his audience to "emulate" the "martyred" followers of Osama bin Laden.

"If such a small number of people can attract the attention of the international community, why can’t the MNLF catch the attention of the Philippine government and the world?" Pamatong was reported to have said.

The ARMM officials accused Pamatong of taking part in the failed Nov. 19, 2001 mutiny of followers of former ARMM governor and MNLF chief Nur Misuari in Jolo, Sulu.

"The extent of his involvement in that mutiny should be probed and the corresponding criminal cases must be filed against him if he is found to be one of the conspirators," an official said. — with Non Alquitran, Marichu Villanueva, John Unson, Rene Alviar, AFP