Cops kill suspected leader and 3 members of organized crime group in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines—An alleged leader of an organized crime group and three of its members were killed in a shootout with police in Pampanga early Sunday, a Philippine National Police spokesman said on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. identified one of the slain suspects as Gider Ignacio de Leon, who purportedly led the “Den-Den Group” which was involved in gun-for-hire, car theft, drug trade and extortion.

Police moved to arrest De Leon and his cohorts after receiving information that the group was seen in Panipuan village in Mexico, Pampanga at 5 a.m.

Cruz said that authorities shot at and eventually killed the motorcycle-riding suspects along Anao-San Jose Malino Road in Anao village. He added that the four men ignored the police checkpoint along the road, prompting police to chase them.

Recovered from the suspects were two hand grenades, two caliber .38 pistols and the three motorcycles.