8 robbery, kidnap suspects shot dead in Cagayan and Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — Six members of a robbery gang and two suspected kidnappers were killed in alleged shootouts with police officers in Cagayan and Batangas in the past two days. 

Chief Superintendent Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley police director, said six armed men led by Gener Dunag fired at police officers manning a checkpoint in Barangay Bangag, Lallo, Cagayan.

The identities of five of the fatalities were not yet known.

Police said the checkpoint was put up after armed men in a white Hyundai van (RCK-364) robbed the occupants of three cargo trucks loaded with coconut lumber and sacks of rice in Barangay Bicud at around 9:30 p.m.

One of the suspects managed to escape, but was later arrested in Barangay Magapit.

A machine gun, a 9mm and three caliber .45 pistols were reportedly recovered from the fatalities.

Police said the Dunag robbery gang was behind a series of robberies in northern Cagayan.

In Batangas, police officers shot dead two unidentified men in an entrapment to arrest those who kidnapped businessman  Riz-John Biscocho in Barangay Berinayan, Laurel two weeks ago.

Senior Inspector Adrin Baysa, Talisay police chief, said the wife of the victim sought police assistance after the kidnappers demanded P100,000.

The suspects reportedly drew their guns when they sensed they were dealing with undercover agents during the supposed payment of ransom in Barangay Sampaloc, Talisay at around 2:40 a.m. yesterday.

Police said two caliber .45 pistols, a 9mm, an M16 rifle and the motorcycle used by the suspects were recovered.

The kidnap victim remains missing.

Bulacan drug war

In Bulacan, Chief Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said Alvin Sape, alias Bino, Jovan Magtanong and Jayson Samonte, alias Barok, fired at anti-narcotics agents in stings in Barangays San Rafael 1 and San Rafael 4, both in San Jose del Monte, and Langka, Meycauayan, respectively. 

Police said the suspects yielded three .38-caliber revolvers, sachets of shabu and drug money. – Ed Amoroso, Ramon Efren Lazaro