MARILAO, Bulacan, Philippines – Police rescued a 23-year-old Indian national here hours after he was kidnapped in Bocaue town Monday night and killed four suspects in a shootout that left a police officer wounded.
The kidnap victim was identified only as “Mr. Singh,” apparently for his protection. His compatriots said he was the seventh Indian national abducted by the suspects belonging to the so-called “Bangus gang,” which normally demanded ransom ranging from P1.2 million to P5 million.
Chief Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz, Central Luzon police director, identified two of the slain suspects as Rodel Tabunan, 25, and Rolando San Juan, 49. Two other suspects managed to escape.
The wounded policeman, PO1 Ronald Gregorio, was hit in the left shoulder during the rescue operation.
De la Cruz said the kidnap victim was about to board his motorcycle after visiting a cousin in Barangay Lolomboy, Bocaue town Monday night when the suspects, who introduced themselves as policemen, seized and dragged him into a Toyota Vios.
Residents saw the incident and promptly informed the police, which eventually cornered the suspects in Barangay Abangan Sur here.
Found in the slain suspects’ possession were an M-16 assault rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, a 9-mm pistol and a .38 revolver. – With Ric Sapnu and Ding Cervantes