Rob gang boss slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected leader of a robbery and car theft gang was killed in a shootout with policemen in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City early Tuesday morning.

Police identified the slain suspect as Jesus Betshaida. His two cohorts managed to escape.

Superintendent Rey Ariza of the Caloocan police intelligence division said they chanced upon the suspects cannibalizing a stolen taxi at a vacant lot in Phase 9, Barangay 176.

Instead of yielding, Betshaida opened fired at the policemen and was killed in the ensuing gunfight.

Ariza said the group was responsible for a series of robberies and carjacking incidents in Caloocan and Quezon cities.

“The modus operandi of the group is to hire a taxi and ask its driver to take them to Caloocan. Once they are in transit, they will announce the heist and escape with the vehicle,” he said.

The vehicle will end up dismantled and its pieces sold separately, Ariza added.

Arturo Armada, who was victimized by the group along Kaybiga Road in Caloocan, identified Betshaida as one of the suspects who stole his cab on Feb. 20.

Taxi drivers Mario Tajan and Nestor Cario surfaced at the Dr. Jose Rodriguez Hospital where Betshaida was taken and identified him as the leader of the group that seized their cabs several weeks ago.