PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives have neutralized notorious gun-for-hire group Hinirang Gang following the death its leader and the arrest of two of its members during a raid in Rodriguez, Rizal on Wednesday.
CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong identified the slain gang leader as Richard Celedron and the two arrested gang members as Augusto Mercado, 36; and Ramon Bulatao, 36.
Mercado and Bulatao are now detained at the CIDG detention facility in Camp Crame.
According to reports, Celedron engaged the CIDG-National Capital Region team in a brief shootout after the police officers served a search warrant at his hideout in Barangay San Isidro.
Magalong said Celedron was wounded in the encounter and was rushed to Ynares General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Hinirang Gang gained notoriety for their gun-for-hire activities and was linked to over 50 killings in Quezon City and in the towns of Montalban and Rodriguez in Rizal.
CIDG operatives seized a .45 caliber pistol, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a .357 Magnum revolver, a 9mm Beretta pistol, handheld radios, and ammunition from Celedron’s house.
