 | Troops, police, NBI join nationwide hunt for ex-senator
MANILA – The entire law enforcement arm of the government -the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation — have joined the nationwide hunt for former Sen. Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan who have been charged with sedition in connection with the failed Oakwood mutiny in 2003. Malacanang also announced a bounty of P5 million for information that will lead to the capture of Honasan. Later, the law enforcers said it was difficult to corner the fugitive because he is being hidden by politicians.
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Another P3 million is offered for the capture of persons for committing the crime of coup d’etat, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said. They are Felix Turingan, who has a P1-million price on his head; Virgilio Padilla Briones, Romeo Lazo and Ernesto Macahiya, who each carry a bounty of P500,000; as well as George Duldulao and Lina Reyes, who each carry a reward of P250,000. Turingan and Reyes are said to be members of the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Incorporated. The amount for each fugitive was recommended by the Philippine National Police chief, Director General Arturo Lomibao, and the Reward Valuation Committee following the issuance by Branch 145 of the Makati City Regional Trial Court of arrest warrants against Honasan and his cohorts for the July 27, 2003,
Oakwood mutiny.
The PNP spokesman, Senior Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., said the amount depends on
the gravity of the offense, the implication of the fugitive’s being at large, and his ability to commit further destabi¡lization.
“Considering that he [Honasan] participated to overthrow the government, I think that is a very serious offense and the penalty itself is serious, so this explains why the government, through the PNP and the DILG, is serious about taking him into custody so he can answer the charges against him,” Pagdilao said.
Asked if Honasan will be captured soon, Pagdilao said the incentive in the form of the reward will factor in the arrest, adding, “The community will be a big factor this time.” He said the police have received information from concerned citizens on Honasan’s whereabouts. However, with so much information coming in, Pagdilao admitted that the PNP finds it hard to track down Honasan.
“Obviously, he remains at large and the law finds it very difficult to account for him because certain friends, certain persons, are doing him a favor. He cannot be alone in his flight,” he said.
Pagdilao said teams of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group are picking up the trail of Honasan and his co-conspirators. To further facilitate Honasan’s arrest, the PNP will distribute 5,000 posters bearing the seven fugitives’ names and pictures with the corresponding rewards for their capture. Asked if a new detention cell will be put up for Honasan, Pagdilao responded, “We can hardly put up the amount for his reward.” The National Bureau of Investigation has its own teams looking for Honasan and his group.
“We are working with the Philippine National Police to track and bring in the remaining suspects in the destabilization plot,” NBI Acting Director Nestor Mantaring said.
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