Indian National rescued: 3 suspected kidnappers killed in shootout with cops

Three suspected kidnappers were killed in a shootout with policemen during the rescue operation of their victim – an Indian national – in Antipolo City Sunday night.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon credited the community for reporting the abduction, which led to the capture of the kidnappers and the rescue of the kidnap victim Gurmukh Singh.

Calderon said the death of the three suspected kidnappers should serve as a lesson to other criminal groups that the police will go after them. He pointed out that the PNP-Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) and the Quezon City Police District solved the kidnapping and neutralized the group in two hours.

“Masaya kami at may respeto na sa pulis, dahil dito napababa natin ang crime rate (We are happy that the community has finally looked at the PNP with respect, which we believe was the major factor in the decrease of crimes),” said Calderon.

Police identified two of the slain suspects as Troy Bello and Eric Amban Buhoy, both residents of 1st Road, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. The third slain suspect was not immediately identified.

In his report to Calderon, Senior Superintendent Edgar Iglesia, deputy chief of PACER, said the shootout took place at around 9:40 p.m. Sunday at Block 4B, Phase 1 Kingsville Royal, Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City.

The operation took place about two hours after members of the Sibuyas Gang abducted Singh along Fort Santiago street, Bago Bantay, Quezon City at around 7:30 p.m.

Witnesses told probers that the victim was on board his motorcycle when the suspects, who were on board a red Mitsubishi Lancer with license plate PTS-639, and a white taxi with license plate PNC-177, blocked his path.

 The suspects reportedly contacted the victim’s family and demanded P2 million in ransom.

Witnesses reported the incident to the police, who traced the suspects’ vehicle, a Mitsubishi Lancer, at the suspects’ hideout in Antipolo.

After confirming that the suspects and the victim were inside the hideout, PACER and Quezon City operatives planned the rescue operation for Singh. However, the suspects opened fire, triggering a shootout.

Police also recovered three .38 caliber pistols, 13 pieces of .45 caliber cartridges and the suspects’ vehicle.

Senior Superintendent Marcelo Morales, PACER operations chief, said the Sibuyas Gang was composed mostly of former members of the military.

“We are looking for other members of the group and hopefully with the help of the community, we will be able to trace and arrest them,” Morales said.

Singh was taken to the PACER headquarters at Camp Crame for questioning and medical treatment.