By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — After nearly three decades in hiding, a 57-year-old man linked to multiple killings—including the death of a police officer in Nueva Ecija—was arrested on October 26 in Barangay Mapalad, Sta. Rosa.
The suspect, known by the aliases “Pandong” and “Ed,” was cornered at 1:30 p.m. by a joint tracker team from the Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RSOG3-RID), Sta. Rosa Police, and Nueva Ecija Police.
He was arrested on the strength of three warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court of Cabanatuan City: two for murder with no bail recommended and one for frustrated murder with P100,000 bail recommended.
A former member of the “Atacador Group”—a gun-for-hire and robbery syndicate operating in Central Luzon—the suspect was implicated in the 2000 killing of PO1 Ronald Diamat and the wounding of SPO2 Samuel Bulan during a botched arrest operation in Sta. Rosa.
He was also tagged in the fatal shooting of a security guard in Cabanatuan City in the late 1990s, further cementing his notoriety across Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Cavite, and Nueva Vizcaya.
Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., Regional Director of PRO3, lauded the coordinated efforts that led to the arrest.
“Every successful manhunt is a victory for justice,” Peñones said.
“This operation proves that with intelligence and persistence, even the most elusive fugitives can be brought to answer for their crimes.”
He added: “After nearly three decades on the run, the arrest of alias ‘Pandong/Ed’ sends a clear message—justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied.”
