4 kidnap suspects slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Four kidnap-for-ransom suspects were killed when they engaged with policemen in a shootout along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City early morning yesterday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Alfredo Valdez identified the suspects as Emmanuel Pineda, 54, the alleged leader; Rogelio Ortega, 56; Alberto Choy, 42; and Eric Ogdol, 32. Pineda, Choy and Ortega were residents of Rizal province while Ogdol was a resident of Pasay City.

Recovered from the suspects was a traveling bag with identification cards and checks bearing the name of Gerald Lao Tiu, who was rescued by the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response in Barangay San Jose in Rodriguez, Rizal Wednesday. Tiu was kidnapped in front of his office in Quezon City.

Aside from Tiu’s belongings, police also recovered three .45 caliber pistols and a .9mm pistol, as well as military and police identification cards. SPO1 Odeo Carino said authorities are verifying if the identification cards are authentic.

In a report, Valdez said that at about 4:10 a.m., Southern Police District (SPD) police officers were conducting a follow-up operation along the Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Barangay Tambo after reports reached them that four suspects from a big-time kidnapping group will conduct an operation in the area.

The SPD policemen coordinated with the Parañaque police officers, who set up a roadblock at the corner of Diosdado Macapagal Avenue and MIA Road.

As the policemen were monitoring the area, a silver Nissan Sentra (TFR-968) went through the roadblock and ignored the police officers who signaled the driver to stop.

The suspects sped away, prompting policemen to give chase. The suspects’ car hit a gutter, bringing it to a halt. The suspects got out of the vehicle and shot at the pursuing lawmen, triggering a firefight.

Ortega, Choy and Pineda died on the spot while Ogdol was rushed to the Parañaque City Community Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. – With Non Alquitran