Four "dugo-dugo" gang members fall

CEBU, Philippines - Four “notorious” swindlers whom the police believed are out to victimize Cebu City visitors for Sinulog were rounded up by the police Monday afternoon.

Federico Jacalan, 55, of Barangay Pahina Central; Florencio Biahagan, 68, of Barangay San Nicolas; Antonio “Jun” Leong, 62, of Barangay Sambag 1; and Josephine Nabaja, 25, of Barangay San Nicolas were taken into police custody by the elements of the Theft and Robbery Section.

 TRS chief Rolando Pinili said they arrested the suspects based on the complaint of the security personnel of a mall in the North Reclamation Area.

The suspects were allegedly acting suspiciously at the vicinity of the mall prompting the security personnel to call the police.

Based on the police records, two of the suspects were arrested before for swindling.

Pinili said they are members of a local crime group known as “dugo-dugo gang.”

“Mga membro ni sila sa dugo-dugo gang og dugay na gyud sila nag-operate dinhi sa syudad sukad pa niadtong 1980s,” he said.

Pinili said the arrest of the four suspects is part of their intensified campaign against criminals during the Sinulog period.

“Daghan kaayo’g mga tulisan ug mga kawatan nga mag samok-samok unya,” he said.

Pinili said they are now monitoring possible criminal groups who have successfully entered the city and are now seeking shelter inside pension houses throughout the city.

“We are currently monitoring these groups in coordination with the Investigation and Detective Management Branch, headed by Chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano,” Pinili said. –(FREEMAN)