4 kidnap suspects killed in Cavite

Four suspects in the abduction and slaying of a casino junket operator were killed in an operation of the police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in Carmona town in Cavite province early Friday.

A report from the Cavite police said the shootout broke out at 4 a.m. in Barangay Mabuhay.

Chief Insp. Jonathan Asnan, town police chief, said members of the Camp Crame-based AKG were conducting a follow-up operation that led them to the suspects in Carmona.

The suspects, who Asnan said came from Metro Manila, were onboard a Mitsubishi Adventure. He identified them as Ramil Espejo, 38; Erwin Escobido, 32; one known only as “Taba”; and Police Officer 3 Rodel Estonactoc, 41.

It was not immediately clear as to which unit Estonactoc belonged, but a police source said he had been AWOL (absent without leave) from the Philippine National Police.

The Cavite police report said the suspects were behind the kidnapping of casino junket operator Carlos Abad Tan, who was killed on Oct. 21.

In a radio interview, Supt. Glenn Dumlao, AKG chief, said the suspects originally demanded P50 million ransom, but negotiations were held until they settled for P10 million. —MARICAR CINCO