Gang buries boy alive

A 17-year-old boy, suspected to be a member of a notorious criminal syndicate, was buried alive by his own gangmates in Quezon City the other day following a heated argument.

The body of Mario Montares, a resident of Bernardo Compound, LB extension in Barangay Pasong Tamo, was found in a shallow grave in a vacant lot.

Police sources said that Montares was believed to be a member of a cellphone snatching gang. An investigator of the Central Police District said that the victim was murdered after an argument with his gangmates.

The investigator said that Montares’ body was found yesterday morning by the compound’s security guard, Gilbert Cavilan, at about 7:20 a.m. in Bernardo Compound.

Police theorized that he was beaten up by his own gang and left to die in the makeshift grave which was only three feet deep.

Reports said that Montares was a regular worker for one of the compound’s residents, but he allegedly moonlighted as a cellphone snatcher.

Elements of the CPD are now following-up the case to determine the real reason for the boy’s death. Police said the victim has no immediate relatives in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, a notorious robbery suspect, preying mostly on bank automated teller machines (ATMs), was trying to empty another one when he was caught by an alert security guard in Malabon City early yesterday morning.

Police authorities identified the suspect as Francis Dinglason, 22, single, jobless, of 15 San Vicente Village; his companion, identified only as "Armando," the alleged lookout, managed to escape. Police are now conducting a manhunt for him.

Investigation conducted by PO1 Reynaldo Gabatin, showed it was around 1:45 a.m. when the suspect was caught dismantling the door mechanism of an ATM of the Metrobank branch on M.H. del Pilar Extension in Malabon City.

Sixto Pulvera, 39, security guard from the PISA detective and security agency, told Gabatin he noticed the two suspects enter the booth and thought they were clients.

After several minutes, however, the ATM booth alarm suddenly wailed sending Pulvera to quickly call for police assistance.

The quick response of the Malabon police resulted in the apprehension of Dinglason, still trying to force open the ATM. Seeing the approaching lawmen, Dinglason’s cohort broke into a run and abandoned Dinglason.

Dinglason is now detained at the police jail and appropriate charges are being filed against him by police authorities. — Jerry Botial