Police colonel, four kidnap suspects die in rescue of an abducted woman

Supt. Masungsong (right) and his wife, being comforted by PNP chief Dela Rosa

Manila, Philippines – Early morning yesterday, four suspected members of a kidnapping group were killed by police during the rescue operation in Angat, Bulacan.

The shootout, however, resulted to death of a police superintendent who led the anti-kidnapping group (AKG) in Luzon.

The officer died while being treated in a hospital.

According to Spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, Supt. Arthur Masungsong suffered gunshot wounds while another officer Chief Inspector Reynaldo Lumactod survived the injuries he incurred.

The kidnappers have yet to be identified by the authorities.

The PNP spokesman disclosed that the operation rooted from the abduction of 27-year-old Raziel Esguerra who was kidnapped from her home in Binan, Laguna by unidentified gun men at around 3 in the morning last Friday.

The kidnappers allegedly demanded P15 million ransom money for Esguerra’s release.

Knowing the information, the police chanced  upon the Mitsubishi Adventure used by the suspects when they took Esguerra, and started to fire.

“When the operatives were going through the main road of Barangay Sta. Lucia, they chanced upon the suspects’ vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Adventure (SHP289) which the suspect used when they kidnapped the victim,” Carlos said in a report.

“The suspects noticed the AKG vehicle and suddenly fired upon them prompting the operatives to retaliate that resulted in the killing of the four suspects,” he added.

The kidnap victim was thankfully rescued and unharmed.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa expressed his gratitude to Lumactod, even promised to shoulder his hospital bills.

Dela Rosa also met with Masungsong’s family.

 “Niyakap ko sila. No amount of words can compensate for their loss,” he said.

 source: Manila Bulletin