Murder raps filed vs kidnap suspects who killed SAF cop

Authorities filed yesterday a murder complaint with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against five suspected kidnappers for the death of a policeman in a four-hour firefight in Quezon City the other day.

Four of the suspects – Francisco Cantero, Frank Garcia, Romy Figueroa and Rene Tan – are now in police custody following their surrender after the gunbattle, which took place after the suspected kidnappers had freed three captives and received the ransom money.

The fifth suspect, Ramon Go, who is the alleged brains behind the so-called Esting Gang, has gone into hiding.

"This is just the first case," said Chief Superintendent Tor. "We’re following through with the kidnap charges."

Both the murder and the kidnapping charges carry the penalty of death. Prosecutors have recommended that the suspects be kept in jail without bail on the murder case. They are expected to do likewise in the kidnapping case.

The four suspects were captured by operatives of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force after they ran out of bullets. They had holed up in a two-level, wood and concrete house in San Francisco Del Monte, a densely-populated district in Quezon City.

They exchanged gunfire with teams of heavily-armed police who surrounded their lair at the crack of dawn. Senior Police Officer 4 Edmundo de Leon was hit by a bullet in the neck and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The four suspects signed papers waiving their rights to question the legality of their arrest without a warrant, according to prosecutors. The waiver, however, entitles the four suspects to a preliminary investigation.

Police stormed the suspects’ hideout after the suspected kidnappers freed their three captives – Evelyn Jao, 40; her sixteen-year old son; and their driver, Rolly Tulado. The three were allegedly abducted Monday near St. Agnes School in Makati City, where the young Jao is a student.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza vowed to give full benefits to the family of SPO4 De Leon, of the Special Action Force (SAF) the policeman slain in the shootout.

Mendoza also promoted De Leon, 47, posthumously to the rank of Inspector for his exemplary bravery and for sacrificing his life during the operations against the kidnapping suspects.

Prior to his stint at the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), De Leon was assigned at the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.

His former colleagues described him as a good officer, who was soft-spoken, humble and "followed orders without complaining."

Former PAOCTF and PNP chief, Senator Panfilo Lacson, personally expressed his condolences to the De Leon family yesterday afternoon at the PNP Multi-Purpose Hall, where a Mass was held for the slain police officer.

The Filipino-Chinese community through the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry turned over P100,000 to the De Leon family. The Public Safety Mutual Benefit Funds Inc., released P200,000 in death benefits.

National Capital Regional Police Office chief Deputy Director General Edgar Galvante also handed over P120,000 as financial assistance to De Leon’s kin. – With Christina Mendez