Robbery gang leader, 7 cohorts fall in Angeles

ANGELES CITY , Philippines– The suspected leader and seven members of the so-called “Burnok gang,” tagged in holdups, killings and gun-for-hire activities in Metro Manila and Central Luzon, were arrested here before dawn yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Francisco Uyami Jr., acting head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said 22-year-old Ronnie Morillo, alias Burnok, and his henchmen were cornered by CIDG operatives as they were fleeing the home of lawyer Jose Javate at Don Bonifacio Subdivision in Barangay Balibago at around 4 a.m. yesterday.   

The suspects barged into Javate’s home, tied up a houseboy and poked a gun at a housemaid as they ordered her to knock on the lawyer’s room.

As Javate’s wife opened the door, the suspects fired at the lawyer, wounding him in an ear. The commotion awakened Javate’s sons and relatives who tried to run after the suspects, who only managed to cart away the maid’s cell phone.