3 Killed in shootout: Kidnapped doc rescued in Capiz

DUMALAG, Capiz — Three people lay dead after agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), backed up by Army soldiers, rescued the other day a Manila-based doctor from a couple who supposedly abducted and kept her here.

Killed were Army soldier Pfc. Genet Bacanto, Perla Pasuquin, sister of supposed kidnap victim, Dr. Madelyn Erada, and suspect Dindo Salazar.

The incident happened as Pasuquin, chief chemist of a sugar mill in Passi City, Iloilo, was to deliver the money to Salazar for Erada’s release at a public calling office at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Salazar owned the calling station, housed in his residence and located about 200 meters from the town hall and police headquarters.

Pasuquin was accompanied by an NBI agent who posed as Erada’s son. The "payoff" went awry when Salazar noticed the presence of armed men in the vicinity.

An Army corporal, who was inside a van about 10 meters away, reportedly saw Salazar pull out a gun and shoot Pasuquin in the head.

As the NBI agents and soldiers went out of the van, they heard another shot. Bacanto was hit in the shoulder.

Cpl. Romarico Pagayon recalled that he ducked for cover and later saw Salazar pointing his gun at him. "I did not take any chance, I shot him before he could shoot me," he said.

Minutes later, Salazar’s wife Marivic reportedly went out of the house and attempted to throw two grenades at the NBI agents and Army soldiers, but was pacified by Dumalag Mayor Ricardo Castro Jr. who, incidentally, is Salazar’s cousin.

The NBI said Erada’s family sought their help after the Salazars allegedly abducted the doctor in Manila last May 9.

Erada said she accompanied her son to the Manila Domestic Airport for his flight to Iloilo. They saw the Salazars there and Erada said they forced her to go with them.

Reports said Erada had bought jewelry from Marivic but had accumulated a debt of more than P100,000. This was reportedly the reason why the Salazars took the doctor with them to Iloilo.

When they arrived in Iloilo, Erada said the Salazars forced her to sign a document that she voluntarily went with them.

Last Tuesday, Pasuquin got word that the Salazars were demanding P120,000 for her sister’s release. She then sought the NBI’s help.