Cops kill 5 kidnappers, rescue victim in Laguna

Police killed five suspected kidnappers in a rescue operation in Laguna province, early Tuesday.

Police said a certain Ronaldo Arguelles was kidnapped by armed men in Candelaria, Quezon on Monday night.

The kidnappers asked for P800,000 as ransom from the family of the victim.

The operation was set at the agreed payoff area in Alaminos town in Laguna after the family of the victim called for police assistance.

Police said the kidnappers tried to escape by firing at the operatives. A chase ensued and ended up along Maharlika Highway in San Pablo City, where the five kidnappers were killed.

Three operatives from the Candelaria Police Station and a bystander were injured in the clash.

The firefight happened at around 6 a.m.

Authorities have yet to release the identities of the kidnappers, who were wearing police fatigue uniforms.

Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento, director of Quezon Provincial Police, confirmed that the suspects were not members of the police force.

"Inaalam pa namin 'yung profile ng mga suspect but fully armed sila. But definitely hindi sila Philippine National Police. Nagsuot sila ng bagong uniporme dahil 'yung iba naka-tsinelas," Armamento said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Arguelles, who sustained minor injuries, is a high-value target included in the drug list of Police Regional Office 4A.

The firefight also resulted in the killing of Police Officer 1 Sarah Jane Andal while other policemen only identified as Police Officers 1 Mendoza, Orlanes and Villaflor and one unidentified private individual were wounded.

Recovered from the suspects were one Thompson rifle, two caliber .45 firearms, two hand grenades and various ammunition. —Peewee Bacuño and Marlly Rome Bondoc/ALG/KG, GMA News