Pentagon leader eludes arrest

COTABATO CITY — A key leader of the notorious Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom syndicate eluded arrest by Army soldiers in Carmen, North Cotabato yesterday.

The suspect, Mayangkang Saguile, who carries a P1-million prize on his head, left his firearms and bomb-making tools as he fled in haste to a nearby corn farm when soldiers of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, led by Col. Isagani Cachuela, started to close in on his hideout.

The 602nd IB men found two caliber .30 Garand rifles, assorted ammunition, four live anti-tank B-40 rockets and bomb-making tools in Saguile’s lair.

Saguile is wanted for the abductions, since 1993, of more than 20 wealthy residents in Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

He is said to have links with rogue Moro secessionist rebels operating in the Liguasan Marsh bordering the three provinces.