‘President’ Pamatong on the run

PRESIDENT PAMATONG? Ely Pamatong declaring himself “president”in a video posted on Youtube in June 2017.

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

AUTHORITIES yesterday raided the headquarters of the Ely Pamatong-led USA Freedom Fighters of the East (Usaffe) and seized a pistol and two grenades but failed to catch the self-styled politician cum cult-like leader and his so-called “generals” and “cabinet members.”

Puerto police chief Evan Viñas said members of the Martial Law Special Action Group raided the Usaffe compound and combed some 42 houses in Purok 13, Sitio Tabucnai, Barangay Tablon at around 5 am based on 42 search warrants issued by Judge  Mirabeaus Undalok of the  Regional Trial Court Branch 43 in Gingoog City.

Chief Insp. Viñas said among those searched was Pamatong’s so-called “Palacio Mailakandian de Oro” which has been described by the Usaffe as the “world’s smallest, poorest presidential palace.”

Pamatong, a lawyer who is also referred to as “reverend attorney general,” declared himself president early this year in a video circulated on social media.

Supt. Melgar Devaras, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in northern Mindanao, said authorities seized a Remington caliber .45 pistol, a MK2 fragmentation grenade, a M67 fragmentation grenade, Usaffe IDs, two double edged swords, black military uniforms, combat boots, inverted Philippine flags, and American flags.

Devares said the target was Pamatong who had been suspected to have been keeping weapons.

He said they would press charges against Pamatong before the City  Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the weapons, and may also charge him with unauthorized use of Malacanang’s seal and for the inversion of the Philippine flag.

SPO4 Noel Oclarit of the CIDG said Pamatong and his followers allegedly left the compound at around 2 am or about three hours before the raid.

Devares mocked Pamatong. “He once declared war against China but it only took the MLSAG to scare him off.”