Bahala Na Gang

The Bahala Na Gang (BNG) is a street gang in the Philippines and spread to the United States of America.

History

In early 1940's, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines - the gang was established by Divino Talastas, a native of Bulacan, born in early 1920's, who moved with his siblings in Sampaloc. Before the forming of the gang, he has a brother known as "Emong", at an early age of 13-14, was most feared in the area, who was notorious in targeting, killing police officers which rooted from his early trouble with the police, when he was arrested, tortured (including electricuting his genital), allegedly, in order to secure his conviction. When Emong was released, he became the top enemy for the police, numerous murdered policemen soon followed. There was terror. However, the authority soon found his whereabout and shot him at the age of 15. The 5-year-old brother witnessed how his dead body moves while the gunshots continues - an over killed job. This event would have an impact to Emong's siblings, one is Divino (Diving as what he was known in the area). After Emong's death, there was a struggle for territorial power as to who would lead. Another gang tried to take control - Sige-Sige Gang. This was the Golden Period of Philippine Street Gangs. To matched the existing Sige-Sige, Divino formed a gang, the Bahala Na Gang, which name he took from the existing night bar in Sampaloc, the Bahala Na Bar. Earliest members were hardcore street fighters who were loyal to Emong. The main goal is merely to protect them from terror from other gangs. As years passed by, the BNG, spread throughout the Islands, often, members never knew who founded the gang in the first place. There was never a rule to follow on how to join the gang. A classic example on how something small could spread like fire and by the time it happens, many members to the gang were doing all kinds of criminal activities. Divino himself was a regular to Iwahig Prison, but when he resides there, he will hold a top post among inmates, as their "mayor". Before he died, Divino himself told his story to few people he knew as he reached his old age. He died in early 80's. He was abducted and when his body was found inside the sack floating in the river, he was tortured, and died a horrible death, believed to be connected with some kind of 'unfinished job' he made for one influential person of power. ^[1]

Activities in California

Originally formed in the Philippines, the Bahala Na spread to Filipino immigrant communities in the United States, especially California. Bahala Na Gang sets emerged throughout the San Diego area, Los Angeles area, San Jose, San Francisco Bay area, Stockton, Sacramento as well as the Las Vegas area in Nevada

Older hardcore members are in their 50's. Younger ambitious members are used to back up the drug trafficking and weapon trafficking operations of the gang bosses. Younger members, however, are the ones most likely to commit violent acts to prove themselves.^[2] Outside of drug and weapon trafficking rings gang, members are involved in murder, robbery and kidnapping among others.^[3]

References