Gang leader slain in Batangas

The alleged leader of the so-called "Tolentino syndicate," wanted for killing two police intelligence agents as well as for a string of hijackings, robberies, car thefts and kidnappings for ransom in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog, was slain along with a still unidentified companion in a brief shootout with policemen in Tanauan City, Batangas Monday night.

Jarencio Tolentino, alias Henry and "Mad Dog," was chanced upon by combined elements of the regional police mobile and intelligence groups and the Tanauan police at about 11:45 p.m. while cruising Barangay Pagaspas.

Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, Calabarzon police director, said Tolentino and his companion shot it out with lawmen for several minutes.

Police recovered a caliber .45 pistol, several loaded pistol and rifle magazines, and a pouch containing shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Tolentino was wanted for the killing of SPO4 Rodelio Lareza and SPO2 Rodilyn Bundalian last January.

Lareza and Bundalian were about to serve an arrest warrant to him when they were ambushed in Barangay Pulang Lupa in Calamba City, Laguna.

Another policeman, SPO1 Nemir Tapec, was critically wounded in the attack.

Caringal said Tolentino and his gang members were involved in murders, kidnappings, highway robberies, hijackings and car thefts in Batangas and Laguna.