Businesswoman rescued, 3 kidnap suspects slain in Caloocan

Police rescued a businesswoman and killed three of her suspected kidnappers in what police said was a shootout in Caloocan City yesterday.

Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said a rescue operation was organized following a tip-off on the whereabouts of kidnap victim Sonia Lim, who was seized early Thursday in front of her junk shop in Barangay Palanan in Makati City.

Surveillance was conducted before a rescue operation was launched. Lim was recovered unharmed.

Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton, Caloocan City police chief, identified the slain suspects as Edgar Suela, Leo Limbaga and Marlon Limbaga, all natives of Leyte and tagged as members of the "Waray-Waray" crime syndicate.

Cuaton said the suspects shot it out with members of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (Pacer) who raided an apartment on Bona street in Vista Verde Subdivision, Barangay Kaybiga.

Police said the suspects had been renting the apartment from a certain Justo Fulloso since April 19.

Pacer chief Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon said the kidnappers had demanded P15 million in ransom.

Calderon added the caller’s tip and the ensuing surveillance confirmed the location of the kidnappers’ hideout.

"When our men went in, the kidnappers fired and our men returned fire," he said.

Police learned of the kidnapping after an anonymous caller informed Pacer that a woman was seen being dragged into the apartment by armed men.

Calderon said they immediately crosschecked the information by comparing the description of the woman earlier reported kidnapped in Makati City.

Sanchez was snatched by armed men while she was about to open her junkshop last Thursday morning.

Witnesses claimed a white Toyota Revo van, with license plates XDH-741, was used by the suspects in kidnapping Sanchez.

Police, however, said the same vehicle was not present during yesterday’s rescue operation in Caloocan City, leaving investigators to suspect that more than three gunmen carried out the kidnapping.

Pacer operatives later learned of Suela’s identity through the residence certificate found in his wallet. The duplex owner, Fulloso, identified the Limbagas as the ones who paid the P5,000 monthly rent for the apartment unit.

An Ingram machine pistol fitted with a silencer was recovered from the slain suspects along with a caliber.45 pistol and a caliber .38 revolver.

Calderon attributed the success of the rescue operation to community cooperation and vigilance.

"Once again, we have proven that cooperation of the community with law enforcement agencies can be an effective tool in crime prevention and solution," he said.

President Arroyo has promised tough anti-crime measures, especially against kidnappings, which have victimized mostly wealthy Chinese-Filipinos, scaring away potential investors in the country. — With Cecille Suerte Felipe, AP