Suspected leader of gun-for-hire gang, 2 cohorts fall in Batangas

BATANGAS , Philippines   â€“ Intelligence operatives of the Batangas police arrested the suspected leader of a gun-for-hire group and two of his henchmen while sniffing shabu in Tanauan City on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh Fidel, Batangas police director, identified the arrested suspects as Renato Gregorio Jr., 24, alias Junior, tagged as the leader of a syndicate engaged in killings, robberies and the illegal drug trade in the province and Metro Manila, and his cohorts Luis Magpantay and Ferdinand Ramos.

According to reports, police intelligence agents led by Superintendent Cristopher Birung swooped down on the gang’s hideout at Maligaya Compound in Barangay 7, Tanauan City and collared the three on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Louis Acosta of Regional Trial Court Branch 36 in Calamba City, Laguna.

Gregorio was tagged in the killings of PO2 Rufino Mendoza in Calamba City last Feb. 16 and SPO4 Wilfred Luna in Tanauan City last April 16.

Aside from the murder charges pending against him, Gregorio will also be charged with illegal possession of explosives, while Magpantay and Ramos will be charged with illegal possession and use of prohibited drugs.

With Gregorio now in police custody, the police intelligence group has received threats through text messages that the gang will liquidate two more police officers.

Fidel has likened Gregorio’s group to the Ozamiz robbery gang whose two leaders, Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga, were recently arrested but shot dead while in police custody.

Fidel said they were verifying reports that Gregorio’s group could also have a hand in the escape of two Chinese drug lords, adding that the group and the Ozamiz gang could be sharing their members, if needed, in their operations.         – With Ed Amoroso