2 kidnap suspects slain in Rizal ‘shootout’

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected kidnappers who seized two Filipino-Chinese men were killed in an alleged shootout in Pililia, Rizal yesterday.

Rolly Castillo and Jerameel Ventura died at the scene after exchanging fire with agents of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) at around 2:30 a.m., according to PNP officer in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.

Pat. Joshua Lingayo suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen and was taken to a hospital in Pasig for treatment.

Danao said the suspects were among four men who kidnapped a 35-year-old businessman and a 21-year-old student in Tondo, Manila on June 4.

The suspects initially demanded P100 million in exchange for the hostages’ release.

Danao said a breakthrough in the investigation came when the kidnappers agreed to meet with the victims’ family in Calamba, Laguna to pick up the ransom payment.

The meeting was moved to Pakil town, where the suspects received an undetermined amount of money from the victims’ family.

The suspects released the hostages in Famy town.

The AKG tracked down two of the suspects in Pililia where the encounter broke out.

A manhunt is ongoing for the two other suspects.