3 kidnappers killed  in shootout

Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna – Three alleged members of a kidnap-for-ransom gang were killed in a running gunbattle with police authorities in Lucena City early yesterday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Hernando Zafra, Quezon police director, identified the slain suspects as Marino Hapin Jr., a resident of Marquez Compound in Putatan Pasay City; Joemar Casabuena de Felipe, and one still unidentified suspect.

Zafra said the three suspects were remnants of the dreaded Parolino kidnap-for-ransom gang operating in Southern Tagalog.

Investigation said combined elements of the Presidential Anti Crime Emergency Response (PACER) and Quezon Police Provincial Office swooped down on the Road Side Inn located in Barangay Bocohan, Lucena City, upon receiving the information at around 2:25 a.m.

However, the suspects sensed the pursuing lawmen and promptly  sped towards Purok Uno on board a Nissan Sentra, with license plates DFG-841.

At around 3:20 a.m., the lawmen were able to corner the fleeing suspects that resulted into a few minutes gunbattle, killing the three suspects on the spot.

Police recovered from the suspects one Ingram Uzi machine and two caliber .45 pistols. – Arnell Ozaeta