FOUR suspected kidnappers were killed and two kidnap victims were rescued after a shootout between the suspects and policemen in Quezon City early morning yesterday.
The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group identified one of the fatalities as Wilbert Bonilla, alias Bongbong, leader of the Bonilla kidnap-for-ransom group operating in Quezon City and Rizal.
Police said the suspects seized Edmer Tumagan and Michael Pearson Bongcaras, employees of the Syndtites Construction Company, at around 1 a.m. yesterday.
The victims, aboard a car coming from Cavite on their way back to their office in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, were intercepted by the suspects, who were in a van. They were tied and blindfolded.
AKG spokesman Lt. Col. Ronaldo Lumactod said the kidnappers’ real target was the owner of the construction company.
Before the kidnapping, the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group coordinated with the Quezon City Police District after receiving information from an asset that the suspects were in the Commonwealth, Quezon City area.
AKG and QCPD operatives put up a checkpoint in Barangay Old Balara in Quezon City to intercept the suspects. Police later found out the group had pulled off a kidnapping.
At around 1:30 a.m., the suspect’s van and the victim’s vehicle, commandeered by the suspects, were spotted by the lawmen at the checkpoint area.
The suspects made a U-turn when they saw the checkpoint. Lawmen promptly gave chase but were fired upon by the suspects.
A brief shootout ensued, leading to the death of Bonilla and three of his men who have yet to be identified, and the rescue of the Tumagan and Bongcaras.
Police recovered from the suspects two M16 rifles, three cal. 45 pistols, magazines, ammunition and four plastic sachets of shabu. Also seized was the suspects’ Kia Besta van with plate number YKQ 682.
