CEBU, Philippines - An alleged gang leader was killed during an operation by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation to rescue a kidnapped overseas Filipino worker at a cemetery in Talisay City yesterday.
NBI-7 director Antonio Pagatpat said the alleged leader of a kidnap-for-ransom group, Wane Tiano, 30, died during a shootout with the NBI operatives at Evergreen Cemetery in Barangay San Roque.
“After the transaction was consummated, our agents identified themselves as NBI personnel and declared arrest. But Tiano pulled his gun and fired about three or more shots at our agents,†Pagatpat said.
Pagatpat said early yesterday, a certain Minerva Laborada of Talisay City asked for their assistance.
He said Laborada told them that her husband, Rene Boy Agraviador, 29, was kidnapped at 9 p.m. on Sunday along Rabaya Street in Talisay City by five armed men onboard two motorcycles.
Pagatpat said they then planned a rescue operation to be led by agent Jose Ermie Monsanto.
Since the suspects demanded P50,000 for the victim’s release, Pagatpat said they prepared a ransom money and proceeded to the meeting place.
The encounter
He said after the money was handed to the suspects, his agents declared arrest but the suspects resisted and an exchange of gunfire ensued.
During the shootout, Tiano died on the spot while his companion identified as Ronilo Roble, a resident of San Rafael, Talisay City, was arrested.
The agents were able to rescue the victim unharmed. His motorcycle was also recovered.
Three other members of the gang eluded arrest by escaping onboard a motorcycle with a covered plate number. A manhunt operation is now being conducted for their capture.
Pagatpat said they were able to identify the escaping suspects but they will not disclose their names pending their arrest.
An NBI agent, Pagatpat said, was injured in his hand and is now confined at the hospital.
The NBI recovered from Roble and Tiano .45 caliber pistol with magazine and live ammunitions, several identification cards, P50,000 ransom money, mobile phones, amulet and bonnets.
An identification card recovered from Tiano stated that he is a member of Unified Security Group of Cebu City with names of SPO1 Samson Dasoc as founder and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama as adviser written on the back.
Pagatpat, however, said that those were fake identification cards.
Motive
Aside from kidnapping for money, Pagatpat said they are also looking into other possible motives behind the crime. But he set aside the idea that it was a case of “kidnap me.â€
He said based on their investigation, there is a personality connected with the national government involved with the group.
However, he said he cannot divulge the identity of the suspect as the information is still subject for investigation.
He said they are still looking into whether the suspects were members of a bigtime syndicate.
Pagatpat said based on the complaint filed, the victim was with his friend, a son of a bakery owner, when he was abducted by the suspects.
“Ang biktima kausap ang kaibigan nya na anak nang may-ari ng bakeshop then while talking dumating ang suspects then nagdeklara. Nagpakilala na police pero hindi naman naka-uniform at pinasakay ang biktima. Ang isa pinipilit but then hindi nadala kasi nandoon ang girlfriend at mama. If hindi dumating yung girlfriend at mother may possibility na nasama ito,†he said.
Denial
Roble denied being part of the group, saying he did not know the motive of Tiano who only hired him as driver.
He said he only knew Tiano because Tiano’s sibling was a classmate of his daughter in a public school in Talisay City.
He said he has no idea if the incident was kidnapping because the victim did not resist while being accosted. -/LPM (FREEMAN)