Politicians probed for links to hired gun syndicate

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating several politicians who allegedly connived with a gun-for-hire syndicate to liquidate their political opponents.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde did not name the politicians as they are still the subjects of a probe. But he said the politicians are from the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Cagayan, Bulacan, La Union and other areas in Luzon as well as Metro Manila.

The politicians allegedly conspired with the Ricardo Peralta kidnap-for-ransom group, a syndicate involved in other illegal activities including assassinations.

“There are reports they are being used during election time,” he said at a press conference in Camp Crame yesterday.

Albayalde also announced the arrest of five members of the group by personnel of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in separate operations from Oct. 25 to 29.

Dennis Matias and Mary Ann Mallari were arrested at a police checkpoint in Barangay Greater Lagro in Quezon City; Raymond Dequina in Echague, Isabela; John Lana and Jackie Lou Isidro in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Seized from the suspects were .22 caliber pistol, .45 caliber pistol, 5.56 caliber rifle, 7.62 caliber rifle, Mitsubishi Montero, express teller and credit cards and mobile phones.

Peralta, the leader of the syndicate, remains at large and is the subject of a police manhunt as he is facing arrest for multiple murder, kidnapping, vehicle theft and robbery. A P5-million bounty was put up for his arrest.

Albayalde said the syndicate is active during election season, when unscrupulous politicians hire them to kill their opponents.

Based on the information the PNP has gathered, some of the group’s clients are either incumbent or gubernatorial or mayoral candidates.

“This is significant because (solving) this will lead to a peaceful, orderly and honest midterm election (next year),” Albayalde said.

Chief Supt. Glenn Dumlao, AKG director, said Peralta’s group is tough to crack as it has taken them several months to arrest some of his cohorts.

“He is well entrenched. He lives in plush hotels,” Dumlao said.

Peralta, who also goes by other aliases such as Armando Geron and Gregorio Guevara, described himself to his clients as a security consultant with police and military background. – With Paolo Romero, Romina Cabrera