3 extortionists killed in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Three men, who allegedly extorted money from a businessman, were killed in a shootout with policemen in Binangonan, Rizal at dawn yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Prieto, director of Rizal provincial police, identified the suspects as Efren Bermudez, Sonny Batis and Virgilio Rayga.

Bermudez and Rayga died on the spot while Batis was declared dead on arrival in an undisclosed hospital.

Initial police investigation showed that the incident took place at around 3 a.m. in Sitio Halang, Barangay Macamot in Binangonan, Rizal.

Police said the suspects had just received the money that they allegedly demanded from the victim identified as businessman Reynaldo Cabrera of Antipolo City, when the shootout occurred.

Cabrera told investigators that the suspects have demanded P200,000 and threatened to kidnap him or his family if he will not give in to their demand.

He reported the extortion attempt to the Rizal provincial police which then coordinated the matter to the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response that immediately set up an entrapment operation. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Mike Frialde