SUV seized from kidnap gang stolen from BIR exec

MANILA, Philippines — One of the vehicles recovered during a raid on the safehouse of a kidnap gang in Marilao, Bulacan on Thursday belonged to an official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Maj. Gen.  Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office director, said they have confirmed that the Ford Everest was stolen from the BIR executive, a woman, who was kidnapped in June and released upon payment of ransom. He said the BIR official did  not file a complaint. 

At least 15 BIR officials have been reportedly kidnapped since 2013.

Eleazar said probers are trying to determine the identities of the kidnap gang members. Former and active police officers are among them, according to reports received by the Philippine National Police.

Eleazar said the gang is involved not only in kidnappings but also contract killings.

He said the raiding team also recovered documents for a Mitsubishi Montero stolen from another BIR official in Pangasinan in May. The vehicle was allegedly used in the ambush of a candidate for mayor in Cagayan.