The Kuratong Baleleng Gang - Last Part

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

The Kuratong Baleleng Gang

(Last Part - The Expendables)

In previous issue of TDG, a gun-battle between the carnap-gang and the HPG, ANCAR, SOU/TF Limbas took place on July 2, 1996. Five (5) Kuratong members were arrested. During the tactical interrogation, one of the five suspects, Allen Pellazar was identified as “Dominador Amparo,” an army enlisted personnel.

Amparo, a member of the Kuratong Baleleng Gang jumped bail in a Robbery with Murder case in 1991 in Cebu City. During arrest he attempted to grab the service firearm of one SPO3 Armando Ballon but the latter parry his hand and shoot him twice on the chest. Still, he was able to escape from the police.

At the investigation room SPO3 Ballon arrived and after the suspect was made to undress, the investigators discovered that he bore two gunshot wounds on the chest confirming his identity not as Allen Pellazar but Dominador Amparo. After a few minutes, he cooperated to reveal the following;

He’s a member of the “Kuratong Baleleng-SOLIDO Gang from Ozamis City. They are waiting only for the contact of their leader Joel Arnan a.k.a. “Jojo” before they assemble at their rendezvous at Sucat Road near NAIA. They are provided by the formerly arrested Army Captain and a certain “Nonoy,” of G3, PA, Fort Bonifacio, with M-16, M-14, 45 Cal. Pistols and M203 Grenade launchers.

After the heist they again converge in a designated area where the weapons are collected and brought back to the PA headquarters. He claimed that four (4) to six (6) carjacked vehicles were often used during their operations and the loots are distributed only after the “BIG BOSSES” determine their shares.

Fortunately, an aunt of Jojo’s wife, volunteered to provide The SOU/TF Limbas “extensive knowledge” about the group, that Joel Arnan a.k.a. “Jojo” was an enlisted ex-Army Scout Ranger personnel who is also an escapee. As “Agent Joy” further narrate, a powerful politician and a number of retired and active Military and Police Generals are “brains” behind the group.

The ultimate motive of the KB-SOLIDO Gang was to raise “campaign fund” for the 1998 elections. They are well organized for having members in other government agencies such as the PNP, AFP, LTO and DILG. Agent Joy told the SOU/TF Limbas that December 15 is the birthday of “Jojo,” the KB-SOLIDO Gang leader and she will be attending the party.

From that occasion Joy was able to concretize the information of the SOU/TF Limbas. At about 4:00 pm of October 31, 1996, a 30-minute bloody gun-battle ensued between the police and the gang at the façade of Lexus Disco Club. Four TMG personnel were wounded, two police patrol cars were totally wrecked by the M203 grenade launchers but two gang members were also killed.

A dragnet was then set for the arrest of “Jojo,” leader of the KB-SOLIDO gang. On February 1, 1997 at about 2:30 pm, SOU/TF Limbas raided the gang’s hideout at the Greatland Subdivision, San Pedro, Laguna. Two gang members were caught by surprised. Recovered were cache of ammos, high-powered firearms, carjacked vehicles, MV plates and a motorcycle. “Jojo” was not in the house.

On February 2, 1997, all possible exits from “Jojo’s hideout were blocked after it was learned that he was inside limping due to motorcycle accident. Later, a man on a motorcycle was seen leaving the house, when arrested he turned out to be the advance party of the gang leader. But “Jojo” is still inside the house.

At about 1:00 pm, a man was seen speeding away from the house. A brief chase ensued and Joel Arnan aka “Jojo” was arrested. A search warrant was then issued that led to the recovery of the following; M-14 rifles, Baby Armalite rifles with AFP markings, automatic Carbines, 45 and 380 pistols, Beretta Sub-machinegun, Micro UZI, boxes of ammos, car plates, diplomat plate no. 19518 and assorted jewelries taken from the famous MILADY heist.

Surprisingly, “Jojo” did not stay long in San Pedro, Laguna Municipal Jail. A noise barrage was created by the inmates to facilitate his escape. But by the time, he and his Army Captain cohort were already considered expendable. “Jojo” was reported killed by police intelligence operatives along NAIA Road in Pasay, Metro Manila. Expendable indeed!

The trump up case against PCI Rernato G. Laurinaria, Commander of the SOU/TF Limbas was eventually dismissed by the Court. Agent Joy, unable to be included in the witness protection of the government dropped out of sight for fear of her life. The “Army Captain,” met his untimely death by poisoning so as not to divulge the BIG BOSSES of the syndicate. Expendable too!