4 suspected hired killers in Pangasinan nabbed

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union , Philippines   – Four members of an alleged gun-for-hire group who were suspected in the murder of a village chief, a principal, an engineer, and several Indian traders in Pangasinan, were arrested Monday afternoon by joint police operatives at a safehouse in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.  

Chief Superintendent Ramon Gatan, Region 1 police director, identified the suspects as Manny Colisao, 31, Alver Mendoza, Modesto Colisao, 25, and Jojo Torio, 21, all residents of Malasiqui.

Gatan said the group, called Colisao Gang, is involved in gun-for-hire, robbery and hold-up activities in Pangasinan, Tarlac and nearby provinces. Most of their victims are Indian nationals and messengers of door-to-door delivery companies.

“The group is included in the PNP list of criminal gangs and falls under Category 1 of ‘armed groups’,” Gatan said.

Records showed that the group was involved in the killing of Luisito Gabat, a school principal, and Flor Benitez, a former barangay chairman. Both killings happened at Barangay Gomez in Malasiqui town last March.

They are also suspected in the murder of Eng. Dominador Ballesteros in Calasiao town and in a series of robberies and holdups.

Gatan said the group was arrested by joint elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Pangasinan police and the 107th provincial mobile group led by Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr. while they were serving the warrant of arrest against Colisao issued by Judge Emma Bauzon of the Regional Trial Court in San Carlos City.

The police confiscated from their possession one .45 caliber, one .38 caliber revolver, two magazines for .45 caliber, two hand grenades, 18 live ammunition for .45 caliber and 10 live ammunition for caliber .38. 

The Colisao Gang was an Order of Battle – listed criminal gang and falls under Category 1 of Partisan Armed Group, the police said.