‘Ozamiz gang earned P70 M’

MANILA, Philippines - The remaining 20 members of the Ozamiz robbery gang might continue their illegal activities despite the death of leader Ricky Cadavero and henchman Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr.

Based on police files, The STAR estimates that the gang has accumulated around P70 million from numerous robberies.

Intelligence reports show Cadavero had earned around P40 million to P50 million for the rescue of Chinese convicted drug traffickers Li Lan Yan, Wang Li Na and Li Tian Hua.

Based on a document that The STAR had obtained, the Ozamiz gang had earned at least P22 million from robberies last year.

The 36-year-old Cadavero robbed several banks and murdered people along the way, including a three-year-old boy in Cebu City in 2011.

The boy was a son of former Ozamiz rob gang leader Bruno Villanueva, whom Cadavero also killed together with his wife Emma Borongis.

Cadavero escaped from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa in December 2012, barely two months after police turned him over to prison authorities.

He was recaptured last week in Cavite and was supposed to be turned over again to the state penitentiary when he was killed, along with .

Following Villanueva’s death, Cadavero became the leader of the Ozamiz gang.

By his side was Fe “Angkay” Tolentino, Villanueva’s former mistress.

From 2011 to 2013, Cadavero’s gang reportedly committed 22 crimes ranging from money changer and bank robberies, to carjacking and murder. Cadavero was also behind the armored car robberies in Alabang Town Center in 2011 and the Landbank robbery in 2008.

Once in a Cavite autoshop, Cadavero asked the owner to change the four tires of his vehicle and paid him more than P100,000.

After his tires were changed, Cadavero robbed the owner and took back his money.

It wasn’t clear when Cadavero was recruited to join the Ozamiz robbery gang.

He was reportedly trained in the group’s “low key operations” in the Visayas.

When the gang saw that Cadavero was ripe to become their leader, he was sent to Metro Manila.

Cadavero stood about 5’4” to 5’5” in height. He had thin arms and legs that were not proportional to his big pot belly.

Based on statements to police by Ramil Espera, the gang’s driver, the gang has around 20 other members.

One of the names that Espera mentioned was that of “alias Toto,” who is believed to be the recruiter.

Espera also mentioned the names, obviously aliases, Budha, Kalag, Meo, Buluntoy, Toto, Gerry, Anong, Timmy or Timoy, Butchoy, Loloy, Arnel, Alfred, Dangdang, Butchoy, Burlitoy, Gido, and Kulot.

Panogalinga is Kulot, who had been tagged in a robbery at a convenience store along Quezon Avenue on Nov. 25, a month after Cadavero and other gang members were arrested.

During that heist, Panogalinga allegedly shot and killed security guard Reynaldo Guiatao.

Espera’s account detailed the actual participation of gang members, but did not include the name of any police official.

Cadavero’s family has accused police officials of being on top of the gang’s operations.  – With Aie Balagtas See