A joint police operation led to the death of Richard Obedece Rabe, the leader of the Rabe Criminal Gang, following an armed confrontation in Guinayangan, Quezon.
In a report by the Philippine Regional Office 5 (PRO5), personnel from PRO5 and Police Regional Office 4A (PRO4A) launched a pursuit operation in the mountainous area of Barangay Lubigan on March 29, 2025 at around 7:10 p.m.
Authorities said when they attempted to arrest Rabe, he allegedly opened fire, prompting officers to retaliate. Rabe was killed in the exchange. Authorities recovered a 9mm pistol and Rabe's personal belongings at the scene.
EMERGENCE OF THE RABE FACTION
Rabe was the leader of the Rabe Criminal Gang, a group that reportedly emerged following the dismantling of the Concepcion Criminal Group in January 2024.
He had been under police surveillance, with intelligence operatives confirming his whereabouts on March 13, 2025, leading to the operation.
Rabe had multiple outstanding warrants, including violations of Republic Act 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
He was also accused of two counts of kidnapping with murder, six separate murder charges, and three counts of kidnapping.
As a known gun-for-hire leader, Rabe was linked to attacks against law enforcement, extortion, and robberies in Albay and Camarines Sur.
A NOTORIOUS PREDECESSOR
The Concepcion Criminal Group was the major criminal syndicate operating in Bicol, with Libon, Albay as its stronghold, engaging in extortion, kidnappings, and multiple murders.
Its leader, Gilbert Concepcion, was a former Philippine Army member who went AWOL and used his military training to lead the group in a string of violent crimes, including over 100 killings nationwide.
He was also linked to gun-for-hire activities and partisan armed operations for local politicians.
Concepcion was killed in an armed encounter in Parañaque City in January 2024 while police attempted to serve a warrant for his arrest.
His death led to the group’s decline, but remnants, including Rabe’s faction, continued criminal operations.
FIREARMS CACHE SEIZED
Following Rabe’s neutralization, PRO5 operatives launched a follow-up operation in Libon, Albay, leading to the discovery of a weapons cache linked to the gang.
Acting on intelligence from an informant, law enforcement officers conducted the raid on March 30, 2025, at around 10:30 p.m. in Barangay Along-ong.
Recovered from the site were an M16 rifle, multiple lower receivers for M16 rifles, five M203 grenades, several magazines loaded with ammunition, and various firearm accessories.
The grenades were turned over to the Police Explosives and Canine Unit, while the firearms and ammunition were sent for forensic examination.
PRO5 Regional Director, PBGEN Andre Dizon, commended the operatives’ efforts.
"This decisive action sends a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate criminal elements threatening the safety and security of our communities. We assure the Bicolanos that PRO5 remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling criminal organizations and bringing perpetrators to justice. Our operations will continue and will be further intensified to ensure peace and order in our region," Dizon said.
Authorities believe the seizure of these weapons significantly weakens the operational capacity of the Rabe Criminal Gang.
PRO5 urged remaining members of the group to surrender peacefully.
