Rizal private armed group busted; 8 fall

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — Eight suspected members of the Pundato robbery gang now allegedly operating as a private armed group, were caught in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition during a police raid on their lair here Monday night.

Superintendent Dominador Penid, this town’s police chief, said the gang, headed by Jimmy Manuel, 41, was out to liquidate certain local candidates.

"The group is now operating as gun-for-hire," said Penid, citing intelligence reports.

Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago, Rizal police director, said his men got information on the presence of armed men along J. Ramos street in Barangay Geronimo Monday night.

When lawmen went to the area to verify the report, Santiago said the suspects inside Manuel’s house tried to flee but they were eventually cornered.

Besides Manuel, arrested were Romeo Betiz, 29; Marvin Rodriguez, 29; Alvin Arci, 25; Jobert Oliver, 21; Raul Cortez, 31; Danilo Raga, 44; and Marion Doktor, 24.

Seized from them were a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver, ammunition for M-16 and calibers .45 and .38, several kitchen knives, and military backpacks and uniforms.

Quoting intelligence reports, Santiago said the group was organizing a unit that would liquidate certain politicians, including re-electionist Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo of the administration Lakas-CMD party. He did not elaborate.

A search of Manuel’s residence yielded campaign materials of a mayoral candidate and bets of the Koalisyon ng Nagkaikaisang Pilipino (KNP).