A member of a kidnap gang, wearing a police uniform, is sprawled across a pavement after a shootout with policemen along Maharlika Highway in San Pablo City, Laguna. 鈥擯HOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CALABARZON PNP
LUCENA CITY 鈥� The death of five suspected members of a kidnap gang in a shootout in San Pablo City on Tuesday destroyed an emerging criminal group, targeting high-profile drug suspects in Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon regions, a police official said.
鈥淧osing as law enforcers, they [resort to extortion] and in some cases, kidnap their targets in exchange for a huge amount,鈥� said Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon provincial police director.
Safe house
On Tuesday, policemen clashed with the group along Maharlika Highway in San Pablo City.
Aside from the five gang members, PO1 Ma. Zarah Jane Andal died in the shootout that broke out, as ransom payment was being arranged for the release of Ronaldo Arguelles, who was abducted in Candelaria town, Quezon, on Monday night.
Arguelles, who was wounded in the firefight, has pending drug-related cases in Quezon and Laguna.
Armamento said policemen raided the group鈥檚 safe house at Barangay San Isidro in Sto. Tomas town, Batangas province, and arrested a woman serving as caretaker of the area. A man, said to be a member of the group, escaped during the raid.
Cop uniforms
He said the woman told policemen that the police camouflage uniforms worn by the slain suspects were newly tailored.
鈥淚t was their first time to wear police uniforms as part of their [criminal activities]. They pose as policemen, as Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority agents or members of other law enforcement entities to hide their illegal activities,鈥� he said.
Armamento said the police would review the records of Arguelles, who, he said, was included in the Candelaria police鈥檚 drug watch list. 鈥�DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.