3 rob gang members slain in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines - The alleged leader of the Dan Muslim robbery group and two of his cohorts were killed in an alleged encounter in Angeles City Sunday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said the said robbery group is behind the rash of robbery hold-up incidents in the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac.

Pagdilao identified the slain suspects as Bonifacio Lacson, 27, of Purok 5, Barangay Amsik in Angeles City; Gilbert Natividad, 23, of Sitio Pitabakan Balitukan in Magalang both in Pampanga and Jayson Nardo of Sto. Cristo, Silayan Center in Tarlac City.

 Pagdilao said Nardo assumed leadership of the gang when its former leader Danilo Paredes alias Dan Muslim was arrested last year for the killing of Kang Ha Yong, a Korean national and resident of Angeles City.

The suspects, who were riding two motorcycles, fired at CIDG operatives who chased them as they were about to rob a gasoline station at Henson Ville Subdivision in Angeles City. Another suspect escaped.