FOUR members of the so called “budol-budol” gang one of them the ring leader, were arrested while trying to kidnap an old man they intended to victimized last July 3 following a brief chase.

The ring leader of the gang, identified as Carlos Pingol, 49, of San Gabriel Street, Macabebe Pampanga, was arrested while dragging Ordinario Manalo, 63, to their closed van, colored while with Plate No. TMN-909 along Mayombo Perez road at about 9 a.m.

Manalo struggled after sensing he was only being tricked while being dragged by Pingol and two other persons, one of them a woman, that caught the attention of PO2 Christian Carvajal, an intelligence operative of Dagupan police who was passing by.

Sensing the approaching policemen, the comparisons of Pingol, identified as Joan Caunoy, 20, of barangay Salay, Mangaldan; and Virgilio Buado, 24, Immediately boarded the van driven by Roly Rimando, 26.
Pingol was left behind and arrested while still busy dragging Manalo.

A hot pursuit operation was conducted by the police leading to the apprehension of Caunor, Buado and Rimando.

All were identified as members of the “budol-budol” gang who were complained of by several victims they sweet-talked and possibly put in hypnotic trance so that they will easily hand over their money to the group in exchange for wads of neatly cut pieces of paper.

Police Chief Dionicio Borromeo said a retired teacher from Calasiao town lost half a million pesos when he accepted the proposition of the group to hand over her money in exchange for a bag supposed to be full of jewelry but which turned out to be just useless objects. (PNA)