
PHILIPPINE National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) agents on Wednesday arrested the alleged leader of a kidnap-for-ransom group and four of his members in an operation in Cainta, Rizal.
Arrested were Ramil Lagonoy Madriaga, 55, alleged leader of the Madriaga kidnap-for-ransom gang, and his members Jaime Patano, 53; Ervyn Garcia Bernados, 32; Ronald Romarate Alivio, 44, and alias “Richard.”
PNP-AKG director Brig. Gen. Rodolfo D. Castil Jr. said the group is wanted for a string of kidnapping activities in Metro Manila and Calabarzon region.
The Madriaga gang was also believed to be among the heavily-armed kidnappers who escaped arrest during a June 14, 2022 anti-kidnapping operation in Pililla, Rizal, which led to the killing of PNP-AKG agent Pat. Joshua Lingayo of Lubuagan, Kalinga.
Castil said that Madriaga and Patano were arrested in front of SM East in Cainta, Rizal at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The official said that Madriaga is 5th in their list of most wanted kidnappers in the country.
Seized from Madriaga were a cal. .45 Para-Ordnance semi-automatic pistol with magazine containing 13 live ammunition with updated License to Own and Possess Firearm, a Firearm Registration Card and a Permit-to-Carry-Firearm-Outside-of-Residence whose authenticity are still being verified.
The PNP-AKG director said that within a span of just 24-hours, they also arrested Madriaga’s cohorts in a series of operations in Cainta, which was triggered by intelligence reports that the gang members are regrouping to seize another moneyed target.
Castil said that all five are the subject of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for kidnapping-for-ransom issued by Judge Alma Crispina Collado-Lacrote of the Manila Regional Trial Court last June 30.
“The Madriaga kidnap-for-ransom group is one of the most dangerous criminal syndicates in recent history and had been under intense investigation for several months,” said the PNP-AKG director.
He said that the suspects were known for their brazen acts of violence and their involvement in a series of heinous crimes across the region.