SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga ,Philippines – Four suspected members of a carjacking and gun-for-hire syndicate were killed in an alleged encounter with policemen manning a checkpoint along the national highway in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga, Sunday.
Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, Pampanga police provincial director, identified the fatalities as Gider de Leon alias Den-Den, Ricky de Leon and two of their cohorts who have yet to be identified.
Tinio said the intelligence division of Pampanga police received information that the suspects were spotted in Barangay Anao in San Jose Malino road in Mexico town.
He said a police team sent to the area to conduct a checkpoint saw the suspects riding on three motorcycles without plate numbers. The group sped away and fired at the police team, resulting in a firefight.
Two caliber .38 guns, two hand grenades and three motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.
Tinio said the leader of the syndicate had a standing warrant of arrest for his illegal activities.