Cops looking for ‘sold’ Pentagon vehicles

TACURONG CITY — Authorities have launched an extensive search for the impounded getaway vehicles of the Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom gang, which this city’s police chief allegedly sold to different individuals.

Since last week, local sectors have been criticizing the Region 12 police director for ignoring their clamor for the relief of Chief Inspector Jaime Guadilla, the city police chief who went on leave, without approval from his superiors, last March 26.

Guadilla is being investigated on his alleged involvement in the sale of three impounded vehicles which the Pentagon reportedly used in the abduction of three Tacurong traders last year, and for almost a dozen administrative cases.

Guadilla could not be reached for comment. Sultan Kudarat police officials are not aware of his whereabouts.

Some of his relatives, however, have denied the allegations against him but could not give any reason for his absence.

Superintendent Abubakar Mangelen, Sultan Kudarat police director, said agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Regional Internal Affairs Service began yesterday their search for the missing vehicles.

A number of residents have come forward, willing to testify against Guadilla about alleged illegal searches, arbitrary detention and manhandling of suspects.

One of them is Roberto Taquiores, a former police informer who has executed a sworn statement detailing Guadilla’s alleged involvement in various offenses.

"But the problem is he (Guadilla) has been ignoring all our notices for him to appear and clear his name in all of these cases. He has been dropped from the rolls because he has been absent from office since March 26," Mangelen said.

City residents are worried that the Pentagon gang might take advantage of the hiatus in the local police command and embark on more kidnappings.

They are also ranting on the seeming reluctance of the mayor here and Senior Superintendent Bartolome Balutoy, the regional police director, to work out Guadilla’s replacement.

"We don’t know why until now (Balutoy) cannot designate a qualified officer to replace Guadilla while he is being probed," said Ustadz Khalid Maina, a Muslim preacher here.