Two kidnap-for-ransom gang members killed in shootout

MABITAC, LAGUNA — Two suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom gang were killed here in a shootout with police operatives early yesterday morning.

Police identified the slain kidnappers as Benjamin Perea, a retired Army captain from Taysan, Batangas; and Reynaldo Toledo, 59, of Lagundi, Morong, Rizal.

According to Calabarzon regional director Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, the two suspects were subject of a follow-up operation on a kidnap case being investigated by the PNP’s Police Anti Crime Emergency Response (PACER).

Combined operatives of PACER and the Laguna police pounced on the suspects at around 3:15 a.m. in Barangay Matalala.

The suspects were aboard a Honda car with license plates UTC 854 when they engaged the lawmen in a running gun battle.

The PNP said the suspects were part of the kidnap gang responsible for the kidnapping of Danilo Tiu and Mayson and Jenny Ang.

Last week, the Military Intelligence Group operatives also arrested five suspects in the Tiu and Ang kidnap cases — Primo Arena, Antonio Tan, William Alcantara, Benjamin Dy and Demetrio Manliclic. The group is also believed to be responsible for at least two other unreported kidnapping cases this year.

Tan, Alcantara and Dy escaped from the Quezon City Jail where they were locked up for a previous kidnap case.