Cop, 5 gang members nabbed in Davao

DAVAO CITY – A policeman and five others were arrested here for alleged involvement in a kidnap-for-ransom gang operating in this part of the country.

The six suspects were reported to be members of the Balbacua kidnap-for-ransom gang that was behind the abduction last July 8 of Edgar Barroso, proprietor of a Flying V gasoline station in Barangay Panacan here.

Another policeman and three others were killed during the rescue operation for Barroso last week inside the Spring Valley Subdivision in Barangay Buhangin, two days after he was snatched at his office at the gasoline station.

According to Davao City Police Office chief Senior Superintendent Jaime Morente, charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention shall be filed against PO2 Michael Sanz, a policeman in active duty assigned at the Tugbok Police Station, Angelito Froilan, Marvin Booc, Wendel Asentista, Nilo Bene­merito and one Petronio Ali.

Ali was said to be the driver of the taxi that was used in bringing Barroso to the group’s rented house in Spring Valley Subdivision.

Aside from Sanz, one PO2 Jaime Telebangko, who was also assigned at the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) and a certain Jessie Muit, a former enlisted Philippine Army personnel were also among those who were killed during the said rescue operation for Barroso.

The six suspects were presented to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte late Monday afternoon at the Davao City Police Office.

 Duterte commended the local police for the successful rescue operation of Barroso, which he said was a result of a very good intelligence network in the area.