Pamatong, along with his seven supporters, were arrested at a checkpoint in Mabitac, Laguna.
In a press conference at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, Maj. Gen. Pedro Cabuay, chief of the 2nd Infantry Division, said that joint elements of the First Infantry Battalion and the Rizal-Laguna PNP Provincial Office spotted Pamatong’s group at a checkpoint along Maharlika Road, Barangay Paagahan, Mabitac, Laguna, at 2:45 a.m.
A woman was among the seven arrested with Pamatong.
Those nabbed were former policeman Alberto Pascual, Jonathan Avila, the couple Ferdinand and Magdalena Osabel, Ruben Lamar, Ernesto Domingo and Marlo Jonathan Planas.
Cabuay said the suspects were on board a Honda Civic UKP 510 and Toyota car DBM 179 that served as back-up vehicle for Pamatong.
"Our troops became suspicious when they saw the two cars loaded with people," the Army official disclosed.
Cabuay said the seven other suspects served as Pamatong’s bodyguards.
Pamatong’s group did not resist arrest, reports said.
According to Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual, Army spokesman, the military and police personnel recovered from Pamatong’s possession an M-16 rifle with M-203 grenade launcher, an Intratech machine pistol, a cal. .38 revolver, two cal. .45 pistols with bullets, magazines, rifle grenades, a sniper scope for M-14 rifle, two binoculars, a compass, cellular phones, four rounds of ammunition for an M-203 rifle-cum-grenade launcher, a set of battle attire for US military personnel, a Philippine flag, US flag and personal belongings.
A 1970 graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Pamatong admitted recently that he was responsible for spreading metal spikes that punctured tires of at least 160 vehicles in Metro Manila, Davao City and Baguio City.
The incident triggered mammoth traffic jams in the three urban areas.
He went into hiding after the incident.
PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Arturo Lomibao filed charges of multiple mischief, damage to property, tumult and other public disturbances against Pamatong after he admitted masterminding the spike attack.
Last Wednesday, Pamatong said in a radio interview that he will also burn school buildings in the country unless President Arroyo resigns from her post.
Cabuay said that charges of illegal possession of firearms were filed against Pamatong before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office after he failed to show legal documents for the firearms and ammunition found in his possession.
In an interview, Pamatong sought the help of President Arroyo while claiming their parents were close friends.
Director Ricardo de Leon of the PNP National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said they will recommend to authorities that Pamatong be subjected to a neuro-psychiatrict examination to determine his mental condition.
Based on the biography of Pamatong on the book he authored "American Birthright on Trial," he claimed that he was a member of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Roadblocks ignored
CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – Joint operatives of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) captured lawyer Elly Pamatong, the self-proclaimed President and Commander-in-Chief of the International Militia of People Against Corruption and Terrorism, at a road block set up by authorities in Mabitac, Laguna.
Pamatong, who claimed to be responsible for spike attack in the metropolis last week, was netted at a checkpoint along the Pililla-Mabitac-Siniloan Diversion Road (Maharlika Highway) at dawn yesterday.
Sr. Supt. Leocadio Santiago, director of the Rizal Provincial Police Office, coordinated with the 2nd Division of the PA in setting up the checkpoint and ensuring the peaceful arrest of Pamatong.
The case against Pamatong became even more complicated after he threatened to burn school buildings at night in a bid to make President Arroyo yield power. Arroyo is scheduled to take her oath as President at noon on June 30 in spite of protests over the alleged widespread fraud that her administration committed to ensure her victory.
Intelligence reports said Pamatong was preparing some of his hiding places in Rizal and Laguna when the joint police-Army team bagged him and seven of his companions.
At about 2 a.m., two vehicles, one red Honda Civic with plate number UKT 510 and a green Toyota Corolla with plate number DBM 169 passed by one of the checkpoints along Maharlika Highway leading to Mabitac, Laguna. As the vehicles were being checked, police and soldiers manning the checkpoint looked like Atty. Elly V. Pamatong. The lawyer and his companions were armed.
The vehicles earlier ran past a roadblock, prompting the police and the soldiers to radio other units near the area.
At about 2:45 a.m., the two vehicles were stopped at Barangay Paagahan, Mabitac, Laguna and the passengers, including Pamatong, were arrested.
Recovered from Pamatong and his pals were an M-16 assault rifle, a machine pistol, cal. .45 pistols and cal. .380 pistols, different types of ammunition, rifle grenades, binoculars, cameras, compasses, military uniforms, cellphones, a sniper telescope, a fake American passport and other belongings.
Nabbed with Pamatong were Ferdinand Osabel, a businessman of Candelaria, Quezon, Magdalena Osabel, Alberto Castro of Nueva Ecija, Ruben Laman, a junkshop owner in Bicutan, Taguig, Ernesto Domingo of BF Homes Parañaque, Mario Jonathan of Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Jonathan Avila of Lilac St., Roxas District, Quezon City. (Madelynne Dominguez)
