3 dead in shootout with kidnap gang in Cavite

SAN PEDRO CITY – Three alleged members of a kidnap-for-ransom group that targeted Chinese nationals in the Philippines were killed in a shootout with the police in Indang, Cavite, early Wednesday.

Police named one of the slain men as “Vince” but have yet to identify the other two.

They were allegedly members of the Pacia Kidnap for Ransom, a gang reportedly being led by police Staff Sergeant Magdaleno Pacia Jr.

Pacia was last assigned to the Southern Police District in the National Capital Region before he went on absence without leave in 2016.

Police Major Mark Jason Gatdula, Indang police chief, said the group abducted Chinese nationals in the country.

“They reportedly kept in contact with some groups in China to identify their targets (for abduction) and would ask for big amounts in ransom,” Gatdula said in a phone interview.

At 2:48 a.m. Wednesday, the Cavite police, the regional intelligence division, and the Camp Crame-based Anti-Kidnapping Group swooped down on the group’s alleged hideout in Barangay Kayquit 1.

The police were armed with a search warrant naming Pacia.

Gatdula said they were about to approach the house when shots were fired at the policemen, forcing authorities to shoot back.

They learned that Pacia was not in the house but only his three alleged cohorts.

The police recovered four guns, among them an M-16 rifle. /lzb