PNP official killed, another hurt in Bulacan anti-kidnapping operation

A ranking official of the Philippine National Police–Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) died while another was wounded on their way to rescue victims of kidnapping in Bulacan early Saturday morning.

Supt. Arthur Masungsong, chief of the PNP-AKG’s Luzon field unit, was killed while Chief Insp. Reynaldo Lumactod was injured in an anti-kidnapping operation in Angat, Bulacan around 1:10 a.m.

As head of the PNP-AKG’s unit in Luzon, Masungsong has led a number of successful anti-kidnapping operations.

In a report sent by PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos to the media, the suspects chanced upon the PNP-AKG vehicle carrying Masungsong and Lumactod along a road in Barangay (village) Sta. Lucia.

The suspects open-fired on the operatives, prompting an ensuing exchange of fires, which resulted in the death of four suspects as well as Masungsong, and the wounding of Lumactod.

Meanwhile, the victims were successfully rescued by PNP-AKG personnel.

The suspects were demanding P15 million in exchange for victim Raziel Esguerra’s release after they took her last December 22.

Masungsong’s team had set up an entrapment operation and agreed to meet the suspects at a gasoline station in Balagtas town. The suspects, however, diverted them to Angat town.

PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa is expected to visit the official killed in action within this Saturday.

Masungsong’s body was brought to St. Ignatius Funeral Parlor near Camp Crame in Quezon City while Lumactod is being treated at a hospital.        /kga