'Itlog' gang leader killed, members nabbed in Munti

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa Police have neutralized the "Itlog" gang with the killing of its alleged leader and the arrest of three suspected gang members in a shootout with police officers in Alabang on Wednesday.

A report reaching the Southern Police District identified the slain gang leader as Alvin Bacol, alias "Itlog."

According to the SPD, the "Itlog Gang" is involved in the sale of illegal drugs, gunrunning,  and whose members were also guns for hire.

SPD director Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said Bacol was killed at about 8:30 a.m. at the Balbanero Compound in Barangay Alabang.

Arrested during the shootout with elements of the Muntinlupa Police were alleged gang members Mark Gil Maranan, 25, motorcycle mechanic, and a resident of number 19 Fabian Comp., Purok 4, Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Abdul Lantod, 27, of Balbanero Compound; and Jamal Maruhon, 45, of 135 Balbanero Compound.

According to the SPD, prior to the shootout, elements of the Muntinlupa Police Station were about to serve an arrest warrant on Maranan at the compound when Bacol appeared from their safehouse and immediately opened fire, prompting the police officers to return fire.

Police said Bacol was shot and died on the spot. His cohorts were then arrested.

Recovered from the suspects were a caliber .45 Shooters pistol, an improvised shotgun, a fragmentation grenade, three pieces of plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, a Mitsubishi Galant sedan, and six motorcycles without license plates.

Police said the gang was behind the shootings inside the Balbanero Compound last July 31 and last August 10 which killed Antonio Domingo and Celso Molabola respectively.

The arrested suspects are now detained at the Muntinlupa Police Station as charges are being readied against them.