1 killed as police bust kidnap group victimizing BIR employees

A suspect was killed while three others were arrested as police operatives conducted simultaneous operations against a kidnap group allegedly victimizing Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) employees.

According to Darlene Cay's report on Unang Balita on Thursday, the operations were conducted in Caloocan City and in Marilao and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

The slain suspect, who allegedly engaged the policemen in a shootout, was identified as Leo dela Fuente, 41, described as a "main player" in the group.

Police conducted the operations based on search warrant for firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Eight high-powered firearms, a grenade, a motorcycle, three vehicles and documents were seized from the house in Marilao where Dela Fuente was residing.

"Iimbestigahan natin kung ito ba ay nakaw or involved sa ibang illegal activities," said National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, referring to the three vehicles.

A police uniform was also found inside one of the vehicles. Eleazar said they have received reports that some members of the group pose as police officers.

However, they are not discounting the possibility that the group was in cahoots with erring policemen.

Another target identified as Jover Garcia eluded the police, but his wife and children were arrested and a shotgun was seized from his residence.

Garcia's family denied that they are involved in criminal activities.

Eleazar said they have been monitoring the group for a year even though very few of the victims had filed a formal complaint.

"Yun ang naging challenge sa amin for the past year [simula] nang malaman namin ito, kung papaano tayo makakakalap ng information o ebidensiya na magagamit. So ito ang breakthrough natin," he said.

Eleazar said they are coordinating with the BIR to resolve the kidnapping cases.

"Ako ay naniniwala na with this breakthrough ay makakakuha tayo ng kooperasyon sa kanila (BIR) para mapagpatuloy natin itong legal offensive so that once and for all matigil na itong sindikatong ito," he said. —KBK, GMA News