Police nab leader, member of Tope kidnap gang in Malabon

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested the leader and a member of Tope kidnap for ransom group in an entrapment operation in Malabon City, according to Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr., director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Esquivel identified the suspects as Christopher de la Cruz, 43, alleged gang leader, and Mario Salvador, 46, a gang member.

Police arrested them in an entrapment operation after a 50-year-old businessman, Hermes Pascual, asked for police assistance last Jan. 30.

Pascual said he and his family had received threats and extortion demands from the group.

The group initially demanded P100,000, which Pascual sent to a Cebuana Lhuillier branch in Malabon City last Dec. 22, 2018.

However, the group demanded P50,000 again last Jan. 30, which led Pascual to file a report to the police.

The suspects were arrested in front of Cebuana Lhuillier branch on F. Sevilla Boulevard Barangay Tañong, Malabon on Friday, Feb. 1, at 4:30 p.m.

Seized from the suspects were a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number loaded and loaded with three rounds of live ammunition, assorted IDs, a cellphone and a Cebuana Lhuiller claim receipt, No. P107CAKWLH, for the amount of P50,000.

Intelligence information showed that the Tope gang was responsible for several robberies, kidnappings, and gun-running incidents in the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (Camanava) area, Quezon City and Manila.

The suspects face a case of robbery-extortion, grave threat, and a violation of gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections.

They will be taken to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for their inquest. /atm