Pentagon kidnap gang leader dead - AFP
MANILA, Philippines - Tahir Alonto, the leader of the notorious Pentagon kidnap and extortion gang based in Central Mindanao, is dead.
Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, confirmed that Alonto succumbed to a lingering illness at around 3 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Langapanen, Sultan Sa Barongis town in Maguindanao.
“He (Alonto) died of sickness and complications caused by his diabetes,” Galon said.
Galon said Alonto’s remains were transferred to Barangay Balongis in Pagalungan town for burial.
A former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Alonto succeeded former Pentagon gang leader Faisal Marohomsar, who was killed in an encounter with government troops several years ago.
A P1-million bounty was put up for his recapture after his followers rescued him at the General Santos City jail, where he was detained for 11 years on kidnapping charges.
Alonto and his group are also believed to have received training and support from Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf and the al-Qeada-linked regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah.
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