Alleged hired killer falls in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected member of a gun-for-hire ring believed to be behind a series of unsolved killings in Pasay City was arrested Monday in Laguna.

Fernando Esguerra, 62, alias “Nanding Buang,” did not resist arrest when he was cornered by police officers from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Special Action Force in Barangay Laram, San Pedro town.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Macerin, chief of the CIDG National Capital Region (NCR), said Esguerra yielded a .45 caliber pistol, a hand grenade and five sachets of shabu.

Macerin said Esguerra is a member of the Punggoy criminal group, which is allegedly engaged in illegal drug trade, robbery, gunrunning and murder in Pasay City.

He said Esguerra’s arrest was based on a warrant issued by Pasay Judge Francisco Mendiola for frustrated murder. Mendiola set bail at P200,000 for Esguerra’s temporary liberty.

Esguerra hid in Laguna after learning that the Pasay police launched a manhunt for him. He is reportedly involved in the murder of drug pushers who failed to remit their earnings to his boss.

Esguerra said the firearm was registered under his son’s name, but refused to comment on the drugs and hand grenade seized from him.

Esguerra is being held at the CIDG-NCR headquarters at Camp Crame.