Pentagon kidnap gang members arrested

Five suspected members of the Pentagon kidnap gang were arrested by the police in North Cotabato yesterday.

Superintendent Melchor Loyola, North Cotabato police director, identified the suspects as Bague Sinapang, Reynaldo Arending, Usman Kanakan, Uyak Idsla and Bensar Adama, all members of the notorious Pentagon gang are operating in Central Mindanao.

Police community relations chief Director Ricardo de Leon said the suspects yielded three caliber .45 pistols, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a Toyota Crown car.

De Leon said the suspects were followers of Pentagon gang leader Tahir Alonto.

Police said the arrest also foiled an attempt by the group to kidnap a prominent dentist in M’lang town.

Meanwhile, In Iligan City, police operatives arrested a 42-year-old trader and intercepted a cache of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition at a PNPM checkpoint last Tuesday.

De Leon said Usman Abdul Malic of Sogod, Tugaya, Lanao del Norte was arrested for possession of 60 rounds of high explosive grenades concealed inside a tire placed at the back of his Isuzu Crosswind with license plate XGU-634 .