Hijacking gang’s leader, 5 members arrested

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — The suspected leader of a notorious hijacking syndicate and five of his henchmen were arrested after a brief chase by Region 4 elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Marilao, Bulacan yesterday morning.

The CIDG also recovered from the suspects a 10-wheeler truck containing Panasonic appliances worth P1 million which was hijacked in Biñan, Laguna Saturday night.

Senior Superintendent Gil Blando Lebin, CIDG-Region 4 director, identified the suspects as Cristino Abainza, 37, suspected leader of the "Ngani group," and his cohorts Lawrence Sy, 32; Adari Abainza, 23; Nomar Lacsa, 32; Arvin Lizarda, 23; and Darius Sara, 32.

According to the CIDG, the suspects hijacked the cargo truck just a few meters away from the Panasonic plant in Biñan at about 10 p.m. Saturday and commandeered it toward the North Luzon Expressway where they were eventually cornered.

A shotgun and two caliber .45 pistols were seized from the suspects. — Arnell Ozaeta and Ed Amoroso