5 slain in Parañaque shootout

MANILA, Philippines — Five alleged members of a robbery gang, most of them former soldiers, were killed in a reported shootout with Parañaque City police Monday night.

Police officers staged an entrapment operation after the arrest of Andy Capia for carrying a firearm at a parking lot in Parañaque before dawn on Monday, according to a report provided by city police chief Col. Robin Sarmiento.

Capia is said to be a member of group led by Joseph Candelaria, a former Army officer, whose members target Chinese working in Philippine offshore gaming firms and act as enforcers for Chinese loan sharks, Sarmiento said.

Capia’s cell phone was used to lure Candelaria and Nazzan Albao, who were arrested for illegal possession of firearms along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard at around 2 p.m.

The same cell phone was used to catch the gang’s other members in another meetup along the boulevard at past 9 p.m. Monday.

Three men arrived at the scene in a van. Capia identified them as Alenain, Aseras and Cornoso, all of whom were former Marines.

The three reportedly sensed the trap and started shooting at police officers, who fired back, according to the report.

Alenain, Aseras and Cornoso were killed in the firefight. Candelaria and Albao, who were in police custody, were also killed in the encounter. The driver of the van fled.

Capia is being held at the Southern Police District headquarters for inquest.