Bonnet Gang strikes again

The notorious "Bonnet Gang" continues to thumb its nose at the Malabon police after it struck again early yesterday morning, leaving the police to bite the dust, after robbing a couple of over P1 million in cash and valuables.

It is the third major robbery involving the Bonnet Gang in Malabon alone this year, officials said.

Malabon police chief Superintendent Pedro Ramos identified the victims as Arturo Supangan, 56, and his wife, Laura, 50, both traders residing at 135 M.H. Del Pilar Street, Tugatog.

In his statement to the police, Arturo said he and his wife were blindfolded and hogtied before five armed men in black ski-masks sped away with their cash and valuables amounting to about P1 million.

SPO2 George Gubatan said the armed men forcibly entered the three-story AL 5 Marine Distributor office-cum-residence building at around 3 a.m.

The Supangan couple, who were sleeping in the third floor bedroom, woke up with the muzzles of high powered guns staring in their faces. They were blindfolded and their hands and feet tied with packing tape.

The robbers ransacked the room and took Arturo’s caliber .38 Smith and Wesson revolver. Finding nothing more valuable, they dragged him down to the second floor where the couple hold office. The robbers ransacked the cabinets where their jewelry were kept.

The couple, who reported the incident at around 6 a.m., told probers the robbers lingered for about an hour looking for more loot, before driving away in their getaway vehicle.

Meanwhile in Pasig, a German tourist and his Filipina girlfriend were sent to jail yesterday for their alleged failure to pay their P3,480 bill for their two-day stay in a motel.

The management of the Country Lodge motel located in Barangay Oranbo threatened to file estafa charges against Elmud Luzien, 48, of MRW Aldepan, Germany and his lover, identified only as Rose, should they fail to settle their account by this week.

Superintendent John Sosito, Pasig City police chief said Luzien and his female companion checked in at the said motel at 8 p.m. Monday. During their two-day stay, they ordered food and drinks.

Early yesterday, Luzien called up the front desk and asked for his bill.

When the roomboy handed him his receipt, Luzien could not produce enough cash, prompting him to hand over his ATM card to Rose, asking her to withdraw money from the nearest bank.

However, when Rose arrived hours later, she reported that the ATM machine "swallowed" the card before she could make any transaction.

The motel management called up the police for assistance.

At Sosito’s office, Luzien promised to settle his bills so he and Rose could be released from jail. – Jerry Botial and Non Alquitran