MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested the suspected leaders of a kidnap-for ransom gang during an operation in Lucena City, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced on Friday.
QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao identified the suspects as Resty Branzuela, also known as Joseph Carbonnel, 30; and his wife Maria Andrea; alleged leaders of the Ga-ga kidnap-for-ransom group.
Report showed that the QC-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) got an intelligence report that the Branzuela couple were sighted and said to be hiding in Lucena City.
Acting on the report, a police team went to Lucena City and coordinated with Lucena police for the arrest of the suspects.
Last March 4, around 11 a.m., the composite team nabbed Resty inside a 24-hour convenience store in Barangay Domoit, Lucena City.
During tactical investigation, Maria Andrea surfaced and was subsequently arrested.
Resty was brought to the CIDU in Camp Karingal for disposition while his wife was brought to the Anti-Kidnapping Group in Camp Crame in Quezon City.