Friday, July 13, 2007 Police name 1 of 2 unidentified kidnappers By Rhodamae M. Hernandez
ONE of the two unidentified slain members of the Balbacua kidnap for ransom group, who figured in a shootout with policemen during a rescue operation for an abducted gasoline station owner, has been named.
Police identified the fatality, who lies at the Patalinghug Fueneral Parlor, as Ruperto Virgen Crusado Sr., 48, computer technician who hails from Notre Dame Village, Cotabato City, resident of Ulas, Davao city.
Police said Crusado was a former employee of the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) in Catalunan Grande, Davao City.
"Kini si Crusado former employee ni sa SPDA sa Catalunan. Pagka-deactivate sa SPDA, wala na ni trabaho tapos amigo ni sila ni PO2 Telebangco kay na-assign man pud ni dati sa SPDA," said SPO2 Val Reboquio of the Sta. Ana police station.
PO2 Jaime Telebangco, an active member of the Regional Mobile Group (RMG)-Southern Mindanao, was also killed in the rescue operation.
Another fatality was Jessie Muit, a former military who was tagged as the brains in the abduction of businessman Winston Ho, owner of Goldstar Hardware in Agdao, Davao city last 2002.
Muit was arrested and detained but was released after the complainant showed disinterest in the case.
Reboquio said Crusado was identified by his daughter Krizanti who went to the funeral parlor and by the brother of Telebangco.
The four slain kidnappers, who are members of the Balbacua gang, were responsible for abducting Edgar Barroso, owner of Flying V gasoline station in Panacan last July 8. They abandoned the victim's Pajero in Country Homes, Cabantian in Buhangin, Davao city.
At around 5 p.m. of July 10, the police raided the suspects’ safehouse at Block 7, Lot 29, Spring Valley Subdivision in Buhangin, Davao City and rescued the victim.
