Parsons tags leader of house rob gang

There’s no doubt, he’s the one.

These were the words uttered by former Marikina councilor and action star Sonny Parsons as he positively identified yesterday the alleged leader of a robbery gang that entered his home and hogtied him, his daughters and his maids last month.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) presented a tearful Oliver Sambilay, 23, alias Quezon Ramirez and Jimboy Sta. Maria, to Parsons and the media at Camp Crame following the arrest of the suspect in Cubao, Quezon City.

Police said Sambilay is listed as the "most wanted person" in Rizal province and ranks No. 4 in the list of "most wanted persons" in the Southern Tagalog region.

Apart from his alleged involvement in cases of robbery and hold-up, Sambilay is also believed to be a leader of notorious car theft syndicate operating in Metro Manila.

Parsons, also a former member of the singing group Hagibis and a former member of the Philippine Constabulary, made the news last July 18 when he killed three of six robbers who barged into his home in SSS Village, Marikina City.

The former actor was able to untie himself and get his pistol after the robbers left with their loot. He managed to catch up with the robbers, and exchanged fire with them.

Two were hit in the head and died on the spot. Another was hit in the chest and died at the hospital. The others, including the leader, managed to escape.

At Camp Crame yesterday, Parsons had no doubt that the police had caught the gang leader.

"He was the one directing the operations. He was the one giving instructions to the members of his group," Parsons said. "I can’t be wrong because I am the victim here."

CIDG chief Director Nestorio Gualberto said Sambilay made the most wanted list for a series of criminal activities.

Sambilay’s gang was allegedly involved in an encounter with elements of the PNP-Traffic Management Group that had responded to a car theft last May 29. A certain PO1 Barredo was killed in the encounter that took place at the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue.

Police also tagged Sambilay in the killing of PO1 Dexter Sy, who was shot dead at the corner EDSA and Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong on June 24.

Background information provided by the PNP showed that Sambilay was also involved in the following cases: the murder of Alberto Clorina, a retired US Army soldier, in March 2000 in Cavite City; the robbery of a grocery in Morong, Rizal that resulted in the killing of store owner Benjamin San Jose on Nov. 19, 2000; and three incidents of robbery and natching near the Sta. Lucia Mall in Cainta, Rizal.

Sambilay, who carried a P250,000 reward on his head, is now detained at the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame.