2 alleged kidnap suspects killed in Batangas shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY-Two men suspected to be behind the kidnapping of a businessman in Batangas were killed in a shootout during the supposed ransom payoff in Talisay town early Wednesday.

According to a police report, police officers conducted the operation after the wife of the victim, received a telephone call from the supposed kidnappers who demanded P100,000 for his release.

Police said the victim rents out videoke machines and was reportedly snatched in Laurel town, in Batangas, on November 9.

In a phone interview, Talisay police chief Sr. Inspector Aldrin Jay Baysa said the vitcim’s  wife sought police help in the rescue of her husband.

The alleged kidnappers initially demanded that they meet in Tanauan City but later changed the  to Talisay and then to Barangay (village) Berinayan, Laurel town, all located in Batangas.

Baysa said a relative of the victim and an undercover police officer were about to meet with the suspects for the payoff, as several other teams were positioned some 10 to 20 meters away.

As they approached, the suspects suddenly opened fire, triggering a chase that ended at Barangay Sampaloc in Talisay at around 2:40 a.m.

Police said both suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to St. Andrew hospital in Talisay. The suspects died along the way, police said.

Baysa said the kidnapped businessman was not with the suspects during the supposed payoff.

“He’s still missing until now,” he said.

Authorities have yet to identify the slain suspects, but Baysa said they are conducting a follow- up operation to locate the victim.

Police recovered two .45 caliber pistols, assorted ammunition, and a motorcycle from the slain suspects. /muf