Manhunt on for alleged carjack gang leader in Makati shootout

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Alan Purisima ordered yesterday a manhunt for the alleged carjack gang leader tagged in a shootout in Makati City Thursday.

Two suspected carjackers and a policeman were killed and a police officer and a scavenger were wounded in the incident.

Purisima said several teams were dispatched to southern Metro Manila and nearby provin­ces to neutralize Ronaldo Santiago, the alleged leader of the Onad carjacking group.

He said they have witnesses claiming that the two slain suspects, identified only as Mac-Mac and Dave, were working for Santiago, a resident of Pasay City.

In an interview, Santiago denied killing Police Officer 1 Mudzil Ali Balawag and shooting Chief Inspector Joselito Savares and a scavenger.

“I had nothing to do with the shootout. I was in my house in Pasay City,” said Santiago, who admitted knowing Mac-Mac and Dave and buying stolen items from them.

Santiago said he was involved in criminal activities in the past but ventured into “buying stolen items” after raising capital for the business. He claimed he had brushes with the law but most of them were “fabricated” by policemen who were out to extort money from him.

Santiago also denied that he was an “asset” of the Pasay City police.

He told The STAR that members of the “Akyat-Bahay,” “Bundol” and “Sako” gangs as well as motorcycle-riding robbers sell stolen items to him.

“I’m not a clean person. But I’m only doing these to support my family,” said Santiago, 31, who has six children.