Gun-for-hire group leader nabbed, 2 killed in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged leader of a gun-for-hire group was arrested while two of his accomplices were killed in a police operation in Bulacan early Tuesday morning.

A report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) identified the arrested suspect as Ednamzug de Guzman, who is the alleged leader of De Guzman gun-for-hire and illegal drugs group. De Guzman’s cohorts were identified only as alias Johan and alias Kojak.

The joint operation includes members of CIDG-Northern Metro Manila District Field Unit, Northern Police District, Valenzuela City Police Station, Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station and CIDG Bulacan.

They tracked the suspects along J.P. Rizal Street, Poblacion in Sta. Maria at around 12:30 a.m.

The arrest came after an undercover lawman bought an M16 rifle; .45-caliber pistol and two .38-caliber revolvers from De Guzman.

Police made their initial payment of P33,000 through online banking and decided to give additional payment of P117,000 through a meet-up.

De Guzman initially asked that the transaction be made in Valenzuela City but instead diverted the undercover police officer to NLEX Marilao, Bulacan and then to Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

In Sta. Maria, De Guzman and his cohorts alighted from their vehicle to meet the undercover policeman.

Operatives then alighted their vehicle and identified themselves as law enforcers, which led to a brief gunfight.

Alias Johan and alias Johak were killed on the spot while police apprehended De Guzman.

Police seized .45-caliber automatic rifle with a magazine, .45-caliber pistol with magazine, two 38-caliber revolvers, a hand grenade, 100 grams of suspected crystal meth, a Mitsubishi Montero with plate number CS 030110, a Honda Jazz without plate number, P4,300 worth of cash, several rounds of ammunition, and a cellphone.

Police said De Guzman was previously jailed for a drug case in 2018 but he was released after posting bail.

De Guzman was detained at the CIDG-National Capital Region for investigation.

/atm