MANILA, Philippines — A reward of P10 million was given to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for breaking up a criminal ring based in Bicol with the killing of its leaders last month.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co handed the award to the PNP during a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame on Monday.
Crime ring leaders Gilbert Concepcion and his cousin Laeco Josie Saysay were killed in an encounter with police intelligence operatives in Barangay San Martin de Porres in Parañaque on Jan. 24.
Co said the crime ring was involved in various criminal activities including assassination, rape, robbery, extortion and illegal arms trade, and had been “terrorizing” Bicol and other areas in the country.
“They have been our problem for a long time now and I promised to give P10 million out of my pocket for the capture of this criminal and terrorist group,” Co said.
He said the dismantling of the crime ring was a ”monumental win” for the PNP and in the quest for peace and order in the country.