9 KIDNAP SUSPECTS KILLED IN TARLAC ENCOUNTER
Police operatives engaged a group of armed men in a shootout Concepcion,
Tarlac this morning killing nine suspected members of a kidnapping and
robbery syndicate.
In his report to PNP Chief, Director General Oscar C Calderon, PRO-3
Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan said the group is
believed responsible for the recent kidnapping of a Chinese businessman in
Bulacan and several robbery incidents in Central Luzon and Metro Manila.
Calderon immediately rushed to the scene of this morning’s encounter. He
said the operation is part of the intensified efforts of the PNP against
organized crime groups particularly those engaged in kidnapping and other
high profile crime activities.
Rafanan told Calderon that the group, who were on board two cars, tried to
evade a checkpoint established by operatives of Regional Intelligence and
Investigation Division (RIID), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
(CIDG), and Regional Mobile Group (RMG) in Barangay Santiago, Concepcion,
Tarlac at 6:30 AM today.
An exchange of gunfire ensued between the lawmen and the suspects
resulting in the killing of Benny VELASQUEZ, alleged gang leader; Leo
PEPITO of Kalayaan Village, Pasay City; Paul CABARLES of Merville Road,
Pasay City; Nolito COMPAS of Baclaran, Parañaque City; Wilfredo LEGA of
Campo Caregin, Parañaque City; Marlon MOLINA of Sto. Niño, Pasay City;
Freddie LARA of Merville Road, Pasay City; and two other still
unidentified suspects.
Recovered from the slain suspects were a six handguns, a fragmentation
grenade, a cellular phone and two vehicles.
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