Kidnap gang falls

Five suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom gang operating in Northern Luzon were presented at Camp Crame yesterday following their arrest in Pangasinan over the weekend.

PNP Intelligence Group director Chief Superintendent Jesus Verzosa identified the suspects as Vicente Simon alias Bong Eduardo Flores; Victor Simon alias Pastor: Arnold Gallato, Andy de Guzman and Ronnie Antonio Pine alias Paquito.

The Simon Gang is a relatively new group that started out as a robbery gang before being involved in kidnappings in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.

Verzosa said the suspects were arrested while on their way to a possible heist in Barangay Balin Cannaway in Rosales, Pangasinan.

Prior to the arrests, the police received the information that a group of armed men were planning a series of robberies in the province.

This prompted the local police to set up a mobile check point where authorities eventually intercepted the armed men.

When a routine check was conducted, the police recovered a caliber .45 pistol , a caliber .38 revolver, a .357 magnum revolver, caliber .380 pistol and ammunition from the suspects.

A background information by the police on the suspects showed that the Simon Gang has been involved in at least eight robbery incidents over the past three months; a kidnap incident in Barangay Batakil, Pozorrubbio, Pangasinan in early 2003; and the killing of a barangay kagawad from Bauang, La Union.

Verzosa said charges of illegal possession of firearms were filed against the suspects. The case of kidnapping has been reinstituted, amending the information previously filed by the Pozorrubio police station. – Christina Mendez