Kidnap gang leader falls

An alleged leader of the notorious Parojinog kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) gang and three of his cohorts were arrested in Marikina City over the weekend, still fresh from a successful robbery operation in Cubao, Quezon City.

Police said the group had laid low in their KFR operations at the height of massive anti-kidnapping operations and started engaging in robbery in Metro Manila and Rizal province late last year.

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco identified the Parojinog leader as Wilson Borromeo, of San Mateo, Rizal. His three cohorts were identified as Dante Garces, 25, of Fairview, Quezon City; Astrobal Balano, 20, of San Mateo, Rizal and Anthony Perez, 25, of Baasan, Quezon City.

Velasco said Garces, Balano and Perez are members of the Butaslac robbery gang, which joined forces with Borromeo in pulling off a string of robberies.

The core of the Parojinog gang, made up of ex-military men and militia men, had been remnants of the Kuratong Baleleng gang.

Police said the modus operandi of Borromeo’s group was to steal cars, especially Mitsubishi Adventures and Toyota Revos, then pick up unsuspecting passengers and rob them of their cash and valuables.

Last week, Velasco said, the gang stole a white Mitsubishi Adventure (XCD 300). The vehicle was used to prey on commuters in SM Cubao in Quezon City.

Upon reaching Barangay Barangka in Marikina City, the suspects took out their guns and knives, announced the heist and robbed the victims of their cash and valuables.

The suspects dumped the victims in Sitio Pinugay in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo and escaped toward Marikina City. The victims reported the incident to the Marikina police who immediately sent out an alarm on the vehicle.

Hours later, a police car found the vehicle at the parking area of the Riverbank Mall in Marikina City. Police said the suspects were on board an owner type jeep (WRA 456) parked next to the Adventure.

Upon seeing the approaching lawmen, the suspects jumped out of the vehicle and ran in different directions. However, they were caught after a brief chase. – Non Alquitran