Pentagon Gang abducts Cotabato engineer

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Heavily armed men, believed to be the notorious kidnap-for-ransom group of the Pentagon Gang, abducted a wealthy engineer and farm owner in a village in Libungan, North Cotabato.

The military identified the latest kidnap victim of the Pentagon Gang as Engr. Bravit Araral, 69, who was forcibly taken shortly before 8 a.m. Monday in the village of Baguer.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, Southern Command deputy chief and head of the government’s Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), disclosed in a report from Central Mindanao that the gunmen flagged down the victim’s pick-up truck near his farm.

The kidnappers, at gunpoint, whisked the victim towards the the marshland areas located between North Cotabato and Maguindanao, a notorious haven of kidnappers and terrorists.

Dolorfino disclosed that authorities through the ADJAG flashed reports to its counterparts in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to coordinate for the immediate rescue of the victim. Under the GRP-MILF ceasefire agreement, the MILF is empowered to help in the neutralization of the lawless criminals.

The military reported that no ransom demand has so far been received. Military search and rescue efforts are underway.

The Pentagon Gang, whose members are known to be former separatist guerrillas, has been blamed for the spate of kidnappings of wealthy families, businessman, and even foreigners in this part of the country. — With John Unson