70 minors rounded up in Malabon

Police operatives arrested some 70 minors suspected of pilfering fish from unwary fish traders at the Consignation Market in Malabon City early yesterday morning.

City police chief Superintendent Pedro Ramos said of the suspects, 12 to 17 years old, 11 were residents of neighboring Navotas, the rest of Malabon.

PO1 Romero Cruz, Jr. said the suspects called "Bakaw Boys," were rounded up at around two yesterday morning near the Estrella Bridge in Barangay Tanong. Probers said the suspects were caught with iron hooks and plastic bags, tools of the trade, in their possession and were immediately taken to the police detention center.

Ramos said "Operation Bakaw" was a move initiated and ordered by City Mayor Amado Vicencio following complaints from fish vendors and buyers at the famed wholesale fish trading area. – Jerry Botial