Cops seized 10 high-caliber firearms, arrested 3 in Laguna farm raid

Authorities recovered high-caliber firearms and arrested three suspects in a farm in Pangil, Laguna believed to be owned by the suspected leader of a kidnap-for-ransom group.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” Tuesday, among the arrested suspects in the raid are the property guard and two staff.

Also seized inside the main house are at least ten high-caliber firearms including an automatic rifle, shotguns, a submachine gun, pistols, and live ammunition.

Police believe the property belongs to Ramil Madriaga, the alleged leader of the Madriaga kidnap-for-ransom group, who was arrested in Cainta, Rizal last month.

“Ang kanyang pakilala niya, isa siyang colonel ng Philippine Army,” PNP Laguna Provincial Director Police Colonel Harold Depositar said.

(He represented himself as a colonel of the Philippine Army.)

“Kilala siya as Robin Hood…Nagbibigay siya ng pera. Marami siyang sympathizers sa area,” he added.

(He’s known as Robin Hood. He gives out money that’s why he has a lot of sympathizers.)

The group reportedly uses the farm as a safe house and a warehouse for their firearms.

“Well-trained po ito, they have their own firing range. 'Yung isang actual operation na ang AKG [anti-kidnapping group] ang nag led and the victims paid around P8 million,” Depositar added.

(They are well-trained and even have their own firing range. One AKG operation found the victims paid P8M to be freed.)

Meanwhile, the police official said the raid is in line for the peace and order operations for the upcoming 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.

“Na-reduce natin or na prevent yung possible involvement nila sa pag protect nila sa mga local officials,” he said.

(We reduced or prevented the possibility they may be used to protect local officials.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the suspects for their comments. — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News