Alleged leader of robbery-holdup gang slain in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – Police killed an alleged leader of a notorious robbery-holdup gang in a shootout along the diversion road in Tayabas City Friday morning.

Patrolling policemen spotted Rex Salidaga Borrinaga and a companion while walking towards a big hardware store in Barangay (village) Isabang around 10 a.m., Senior Supt. Osmundo de Guzman, Quezon police director, said in a report. The police said both were noticeably carrying guns tucked in their waists.

But the suspects reportedly fired at the authorities when the policemen stepped out of the patrol vehicle and approached them.

A running gun battle ensued that left Borrinaga dead. His cohort was able to escape and is now the subject of a manhunt operation.

Police tagged the slain suspect as the leader of the “Bordado Gang” that was allegedly responsible for the series of robberies and hold-up incidents in Tayabas City. The group was also allegedly engaged in gun-for-hire killings.

Investigators recovered a Llama caliber .9 mm pistol with bullets, several identification cards and spent shells from caliber .9 mm and M16 rifles. Delfin T. Mallari Jr./lzb