Police launch manhunt for Sarangani’s Bonnet Gang

Alabel, Sarangani — Police operatives here have launched a manhunt for members of the notorious Bonnet Gang, a highway robbery group preying on motorists and delivery vans plying the national highway in the municipality of Maasim.

The operation was launched after police operatives nabbed the alleged gang leader, identified as Paul Bedrejo, a former policeman assigned at the General Santos City Police Office.

Bedrejo was reportedly dismissed from the police service due to alleged habitual drunkenness.

The Bonnet Gang was believed responsible for a series of highway robberies along the national highway in Maasim town.

Senior Superintendent Efren Valriano, police chief of Sarangani Provincial Police Office, said Bedrejo was arrested at his safehouse in Tieza Street in General Santos City two weeks after he and his group flagged down a delivery van in Sitio Tampat, Barangay Tinoto, Maasim and carted away P50,000 and other valuables.

Bedrejo was positively identified by the witnesses when he was presented to them. Robbery charges were already filed against the suspect at the MTC-Maasim under Judge Castor Corpuz.

Valeriano said the gang was also believed to be involved in the series of heists involving delivery trucks of softdrinks in previous months.

"My men are now tracking the other members of the gang. Pressures are mounting for their immediate arrests," Valeriano said.