WPD nabs Manila’s Public Enemy No. 1

Manila police have arrested the city’s most notorious criminal as well as his henchman during a buy-bust operation at the Islamic Center in Quiapo the other day.

Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong identified the suspects as Musanip Busran Pundato, alias Jimbo Pundato, 32, and Said Bacolod, alias "Comelec," 48, both of 645 Carlos Palanca Street, Quiapo.

Bulaong said Pundato is a suspected member of the Bamboo Gang engaged in drug trafficking, gun-running, robbery-holdup, car theft and extortion. Pundato has also been tagged as Manila’s Public Enemy No. 1 after he was identified as the gunman in the killing of Manila policemen Chester Patagan and Armel Abat during a police operation against drug pushers on Castillejos Street in Quiapo on March 8, 1999.

Pundato, also known as "Busran Mucala" and "Musanip Busran," has warrants of arrest for kidnapping, homicide and frustrated homicide issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 27 and 17.

The arrest of Pundato and his henchman was the result of the buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the WPD’s Drug Enforcement Group under Senior Inspector Ricardo Abando.

According to Abando, the original target of operation was Bacolod, a known drug pusher in the Islamic Center. At around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, PO3 Romeo Noriega, acting as buyer, was able to purchase P10,000 worth of shabu from Bacolod.

At the time of the drug deal, Bacolod was escorted by a robust long-haired man, who later turned out to be Pundato. It was also Pundato who handed over the drugs to the undercover policeman.

At a pre-arranged signal, policemen posted nearby pounced on the two suspects. Recovered from Pundato was a 9 mm pistol with one magazine and nine bullets.

Police filed charges of drug pushing and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against the two suspects.

Bulaong commended Abando and his men for the arrest of Pundato, who has been the subject of a massive manhunt by the Manila police for a couple of years now.