‘Kidnap leader’ nabbed

Agents of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) arrested the alleged leader of a kidnap-for-ransom gang in Sta. Mesa, Manila last Saturday.

PNP-IG chief, Chief Superintendent Roberto Delfin, said the arrest of Tito Medina, leader of the Medina Esting kidnapping gang was a result of a police crackdown on high profile crime.

Medina was cornered by PNP-IG agents at his apartment at Scout Alcaraz Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila at about 1 p.m. last Saturday based on a warrant issued for him for kidnapping by Sta. Maria, Bulacan Judge Nicasio Bartolome.

Senior Superintendent Jaime Caringal, PNP-IG deputy chief for administration, said the Medina Gang was in the list of top criminal groups up for neutralization.

According to Caringal, Medina and his gang members figured in the abduction of businessman Marcos Sia on March 14, 2001 in Barangay Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan.

They also snatched trader Jake Ocampo, 28, last May 8, 2001 at Yakal Street, Barangay Sta. Clara, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

In both kidnappings, Medina and his group collected huge amounts of ransom money from the families of their victims.

Aside from kidnap-for-ransom, Medina and his cohorts based in the Bulacan-Pampanga area, were also behind robbery holdups, carnapping and trafficking of illegal drugs in Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

The suspect is now detained at the PNP-IG detention cell, pending his turnover to the Bulacan court.

Meanwhile, a security guard was shot dead by his fellow guard inside their security office in Binondo, Manila, following an argument during a birthday party early Sunday morning.

Reports reaching the homicide section of the Western Police District identified the victim as Simplicio Bunagat, 45, of Barangay Labuin, Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The suspect who remains at-large, was identified as Angelito Mendoza, 35, night shift security officer-in-charge detailed with San Miguel Manila Glass Plant, located at Del Pan, Binondo, and a resident of Block 8, Lot 5, Adelfa St., Capitol Hills, Subdivision, Trece Martires City.

According to initial investigation, the suspect and the victim were at a birthday party at the glass plant at about 2:45 a.m. when an argument ensued between the victim and the suspect.

Police said the suspect lashed at the victim for allegedly spreading malicious stories about him and a certain Luba, the morning security officer-in-charge. After a brief verbal tussle, the suspect returned to his office and ordered the victim to follow.

When the victim entered the security office, the suspect allegedly drew a pistol from his desk and cocked it. This promoted the victim to jump at the suspect and grapple for the gun. Seconds after, a single shot rang out.

Witnesses later saw the victim slumped dead on the floor with a gunshot wound in the chest. The suspect fled and the police are tracking him down. – Jaime Laude and Mike Frialde