RP Police Captures 5 Kidnappers In South

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 16 Jul) – Police paraded five suspected kidnappers, including a policeman, who were arrested in separate operations in Davao City in the southern Philippines.

The five men -- PO2 Kit Michael Sanz, 28, of the Mintal police station; Petronio Ali, Jr., 41; Marvin Digamon Booc, 28; Angelito Froilan, 50, and Wendel Asentista – were charged in connection with the kidnapping of a wealthy gas depot owner Edgar Barroso here.

Barroso, kidnapped on July 7 inside his office, was rescued by policemen after killing four of his captors four days later in a raid on a hideout in Davao City.

The kidnappers demanded P10 million from Baroso’s family. Two of those killed were identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Jaime Telebangco, of the Regional Mobile Group, and Jessie Muit, a former army soldier.

Local Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lauded the police for the rescue operation and warned other criminal syndicate members that they will suffer the same fate.

Duterte was also present when the five suspects were presented during a press conference at a police camp here. The men, he said, belong to the Balbacua Gang, blamed for other kidnappings-for-ransom in the southern Philippines. (Romy Bwaga)

4 Kidnappers Killed, Hostage Rescued In South RP

Three of four suspected kidnappers are killed during a rescue operation in Davao City in southern Philippines that liberated a gas depot owner. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/Romy Bwaga)

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Jul) – Philippine police killed four suspected kidnappers, including a policeman and a former soldier, in a successful rescue mission that freed a wealthy gas depot owner.

Police on Wednesday said the four were shot dead in a firefight at a hideout in Davao City and that Edgar Baroso, who was kidnapped July 7 inside his office, was rescued safely.

The kidnappers demanded P10 million from Baroso’s family. Two of those killed were identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Jaime Telebangco, of the Regional Mobile Group, and Jessie Muit, a former army soldier. Their companions remain unidentified, police said.

Local Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lauded the police for the rescue operation and warned other criminal syndicate members that they will suffer the same fate.

Duterte also inspected the hideout of the kidnappers shortly after the fight.

He said Baroso’s wife was negotiating with the kidnappers for the release of the hostage when security forces stormed the hideout. (Romy Bwaga)