Leader of gun-for-hire gang in Davao Sur, Sarangani nabbed

DIGOS CITY—The suspected leader of a notorious gun-for-hire gang operating in Davao del Sur and Sarangani province fell into the hands of authorities following weeks of planning, a report from the Southern Mindanao police’s intelligence division said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria, regional intelligence chief, said Tacay gang leader Cornelio Pandacan was arrested during a major police operation in a safehouse in Malungon town in Sarangani province.

He said Pandacan, 27, also known as Tacay Pandacan and a resident of Kiblawan, Davao del Sur tried to resist arrest but “the large number of our operatives led by SP03 Maxwell Roble and SP03 Ignacio Riola of the Malungon police has deterred him from fighting back.”

Dubria described the suspect as an “accomplished gun-for-hire with at least four murder cases up his sleeve.”

“The suspect was arrested by virtue of warrants issued by Judge Oscar Noel of the Justice on Wheels,” he said.

Pandacan is now detained at the Malungon police station pending court decision on where he should be remanded, Dubria added.