‘Lawin’ group member killed, leader nabbed

A suspected member of the notorious “Lawin” crime group was killed while three others, including its leader, were arrested by anti-kidnapping operatives of the Philippine National Police in Antipolo City, Rizal last Tuesday night.

Police Lt. Col. Villaflor Bannawagan, acting chief of Anti-Kidnapping Group Luzon Field Unit, identified the slain suspect as Nanestro Balderas alias “Payang.”

Arrested were Juanito Aringoy, alias “Lawin,” alleged leader of the group; Jhon Axel Gazer, alias “Janjan,” and Sarah Jean Pimentel.

Operatives of the AKG-LFU and Antipolo police were deployed to serve an arrest warrant for murder against Balderas in his house in Barangay San Jose around 6:20 p.m.

The warrant was issued by Presiding Judge Rey Lor of the Antipolo City Regional Trial Court Branch 71 for the kidnap-murder of one Efren Orea. Balderas was accused of killing Orea, 39, in Antipolo City on Sept. 2, 2019.

However, during the service of the arrest warrant, Balderas allegedly resisted arrest and fired shots at the cops.

A brief gunbattle ensued which led to the death of Balderas.

Bannawagan said the operation was part of the AKG’s manhunt operation against the Lawin Group, which is also tagged in the killing of one Koby Dimaano.

“The group is mostly involved in robbery, gun-for-hire, kidnapping, and illegal drug activities,” Bannawagan said.

Lawin Group was also linked to the Sacdalan Crime Group which operates in Teresa and Baras in Rizal  and Antipolo.

Investigators recovered at the encounter site three pieces of fired cartridge cases, an improvised shotgun (“sumpak”), a caliber .38 revolver, a caliber .45 pistol, and drug paraphernalia.

The arrested suspects were brought to the headquarters of the AKG-LFU in Camp Crame, Quezon City for filing of appropriate charges. (Martin A. Sadongdong)