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By Eusebio Aguinaldo, Correspondent
CAMP GEN. OSCAR FLORENDO, La
Union: The leader of a gang linked to 14 kidnappings was arrested on
Wednesday while picnicking in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Ilocos police director, Chief
Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, identified the suspect as Jessie Pepino,
alias James Villacorta, leader and ransom negotiator of the Pepino
Gang.
Bataoil said Pepino was arrested
while having a picnic with his family and friends at the Fatima
Beach Resort in Barangay Arnedo, Bolinao.
A joint team from Police
Anticrime Emergency Response, the Regional Intelligence and
Investigation Division, the Regional Intelligence Group 1 and the
Pangasinan Police Provincial Office headed by Senior Supt. Allan
Purisima made the arrest.
Pepino has several standing
warrants, including one issued by Judge Ester Veloso of the
Municipal Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City. A P300,000 reward had been
offered for his apprehension.
Police said Pepino’s group
carried out the following abductions:
• Anita Ching on October 18,
1998, in Quezon City
• Edward Tan on June 28, 1997,
in Parañaque City
• Reagan King on October 21,
1998, in Mandaue City
• Joshua Ferias on January 27,
2006, in Las Piñas City
• Enrique Carlos on October 9,
2005, in Parañaque City
• Anton Yang on February 24,
2006, in Quezon City
• Santos Nang Si on April 12,
2006, in Quezon City
• Dianne and Jo Ann Uy on March
21, 2006, in Mandaluyong City
• Yuka Furuya on October 26,
2006, in Muntinlupa City
• Kenneth Mark Jade Reyes on
November 10, 2006, in Tagum City
• John Paul Rivas on September
18, 2006, in Masbate City
• Jazmine Perez on December 21,
2006, also in Tagum
• Wang Shi Bao on July 6, 2006,
in Malabon City
• Mark Lester on August 29,
2006, in Caloocan City
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