Four "laglag barya" gang members fall

CEBU, Philippines – Four suspected members of "laglag-barya" gang were arrested by the police for stealing at least 11 cellular phones from jeepney passengers in Barangay Talamban yesterday.

The suspects were identified as Apolonio Tolibas, 33, of Tabunok, Talisay City; Eduardo Cortez, 58, of Lilo-an; Isidro Dabodo, 23, of Consolacion, and Ediro Otiro, 30, of Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

Through the help of one of the victims, operatives of the Theft and Robbery Section led by SPO4 Edgar Galado arrested the suspects near the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus.

Reyman Alistair Loreto, one of the victims, complained before the Theft and Robbery Section that his phone was stolen. The police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation resulting to their arrest when they spotted them already boarding another passenger jeepney towards Talamban area.

The police recovered the 11 assorted units of cellular phones stolen from the different victims.

TRS chief Bonifacio Garciano said the suspects' modus operandi is to drop a coin inside the jeepney. As soon as their potential victim picks up the coin another member of the gang will steal his or her phone.

"Usahay pud pasumangil na sila og ingon nga naa'y hugaw imong buhok, 'nya kung mag-atiman ka sa imo buhok, diha nila kawaton imong butang. Luwaan pa imong buhok unsahay para laman magkahugaw," Garciano added.

One of the suspects admitted the charges and even demonstrated to reporters how they operate.

A criminal case for theft was already filed against them yesterday before the city prosecutors' office. (THE FREEMAN)