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Sunday, January 30, 2005
Vigilante leader collared in Nueva Ecija
By Marna H. Dagumboy
CAMP OLIVAS -- A top leader of the dreaded Red Vigilante Group (RVG) reportedly employed as a security guard of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Nueva Ecija was presented to media on Friday in a press conference here.
Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano, acting regional director, Central Luzon police, identified the suspect as Lorenzo Hidalgo, 38, alias "Ka Rudy/Ka Enso", a resident of Barangay Magtanggol, Bongabon Town. Confiscated from the former's possession was an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol.
Albano said Hidalgo was collared by police operatives of the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch (PIIB) last Wednesday in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Hon. Judge Erlinda Pestano Buted of Palayan City RTC.
Reports said Hidalgo was a prime suspect in the killing of SPO4 Ernesto Parungao, a police intelligence operative in Talavera town last Aug. 28, 2004.
Albano also said that Hidalgo was described as a close ally of Ric Peralta alias "Ka Ryan," the country's most wanted criminal who was arrested by the Pampanga police while in SM City Pampanga on Oct. 26, 2004.
Peralta, who carries a P1.2-million reward for his capture, was believed to be the leader of the RVG and involved in several high profile crimes including kidnap-for-ransom, robbery and gun-for-hire of many businessmen and politicians. Peralta has three standing warrants of arrest against him, two of which are unbailable, Albano said.
Based on police reports, Peralta's capture was a result of joint intelligence cooperation between PRO3 and PRO4-A in Calabarzon.
Meanwhile, during interrogation, Hidalgo admitted his participation in the abduction of 11 suspected drug leaders in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija in October 2001 wherein six of them were found lifeless.
On the other hand, Sr. Supt. Alex Paul Monteagudo, provincial director of Nueva Ecija PPO, told Central Luzon-based media practitioners that they are still investigating 25 other cases of Hidalgo including murder, believed perpetrated by the RVG.
(January 30, 2005 issue)
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