Pamatong charged with illegal gun possession

The Laguna police yesterday filed illegal possession of firearms charges against Elly Pamatong, self-confessed architect of the "spike attack" that damaged the tires of dozens of vehicles in Metro Manila last June 21, and seven of his followers.

The charges stemmed from the recovery of a cache of high-powered firearms and military surveillance equipment, including an M-203 grenade launcher, an M-16 rifle, an Intratech machine pistol, two caliber .45 automatics, two binoculars, a sniper’s telescope and a military compass.

The items were recovered from Pamatong and his group when they were arrested before dawn Friday at a roadblock set up by Army troopers and members of the Laguna and Rizal police in Barangay Paagahan in Mabitac, Laguna.

The charges were denied by Pamatong, who claimed that the firearms and ammunition were "planted" by government agents when they raided his safe house in Rizal.

But Rizal police director Leo Santiago dismissed Pamatong’s claim as the ramblings of someone whose "mouth works faster than his mind."

"Ang kasalanan niya mas mabilis gumana ang bibig niya kaysa doon sa takbo ng utak niya (His problem is, his mouth works faster than his mind)," he said.

Pamatong was the subject of a short-lived manhunt after he claimed ordering the scattering of steel spikes on streets of Metro Manila as part of an anti-government protest.

He also threatened during a television interview to burn school houses, which he believes are being used to teach dishonesty and corruption.

Police and military authorities have credited that interview for providing the lead on Pamatong’s whereabouts.

Santiago established the place where Pamatong was interviewed as a resort-restaurant in Pililia,