Police nab kidnap gang leader in Davao City

Manila, Philippines - Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Police Anti Crime Emergency Response (PACER) Mindanao Field Office arrested in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, the alleged leader of a robbery and kidnap-for-ransom ring based in Davao City.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. identified the suspect as Willy Estribor, 42, of South Bay, R. Castillo, Agdao, Davao City.

Estribor was arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 in Davao City for robbery and by the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Tagum City for robbery with violence against person.

Pagdilao said the Estribor group makes use of motorcycles in “casing” or surveillance of possible targets. The group also uses pistols and hand grenades in their operations.

Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 11 chief Senior Superintendent Pedro Cabatingan said Estribor and his gang, which was originally based in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, are responsible for a series of robberies in Davao City and Davao del Norte.

The group was also believed to be responsible for the robberies in a convenience store in County Homes Cabantian, Buhangin, Davao City and in a Western Union outlet along JP Laurel Avenue in Davao City.

Pagdilao said the CIDG is hunting down three other members of his gang. They were identified Ian Clemente, Petronio Siga and Robert Te.