TWO suspects in the kidnapping of a businessman and a student were killed while an operative of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) was injured in a shootout in Pililia town in Rizal early yesterday morning.
The slain suspects were identified through their identification cards as Rolly Reyes Castillo and Jerameel Ventura while Patrolman Joshua Lingayo sustained injuries.
Police said Castillo and Ventura were among the four men who kidnapped a businessman and a student, whose names were withheld by the AKG, in San Rafael Village in Tondo, Manila last June 3.
The suspects demanded a P100 million ransom from the family of the victims but later agreed to accept a lower amount after a series of negotiations.
The family was initially asked by the suspects to deliver the ransom in Calamba, Laguna. The suspects later moved the payoff site to Famy town, also in Laguna, where the payment of the undisclosed ransom took place, specifically at the vicinity of Imall.
The victims were released after the ransom was paid and are now reunited with their family.
“Immediately, the operating troops conducted a hot pursuit operation which led to an armed encounter in Pililia, Rizal that resulted in the neutralization of two of the kidnappers,” the AKG said.
Lingayo sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen and was brought to a hospital in Pasig City.
Police said pursuit operations are ongoing against the cohorts of the suspects.
Recovered at the scene were a Honda CRV that was used in the kidnapping, a cal. 45 pistol, a cal. 9 mm pistol, an Ingram machine pistol, assorted ammunition and several identification cards.
