Jeepney holdup gang charged

Police filed yesterday charges of robbery and illegal possession of firearms at the Manila Prosecutors’ Office against seven suspected jeepney holdup men after they were positively identified by their victims.

The suspects, including one currently confined under guard at the UST Hospital, were arrested following a gunbattle with the police during a saturation drive at their lair in a slum area of Sampaloc, Manila last Wednesday.

The successful operation against the notorious robbers was a result of a week-long surveillance by the Sampaloc police sekretas, or "secret cops," led by Inspector Alfredo David.

Senior Superintendent Amador Pabustan, commander of the Sampaloc police station, said the suspects were responsible for a series of passenger jeepney holdups at the University Belt area, Dimasalang and España.

He identified the wounded suspect as Roselio Torno, alias "Tirso Torno," 25, the alleged leader of the gang. Torno sustained two gunshot wounds in the body when he traded shots with the raiding policemen.

The other suspects were identified as Arthur Tan, 23; Jeffrey Mariñas, 19; Ricky Boy Hilario, 18; Pelayo Pabelani, 28; Federico Didulo, 40; and Anthony de la Cruz.

Recovered from the suspects were a caliber .38 revolver with two spent shells and live ammunition, several fan knives and a press identification card of Abante Tonite photographer Carlito Arenas, who positively identified Pabelani as one of the robbers who held him up on a passenger jeepney in Sampaloc last month.

David said Torno fired at his group when they were about to enter a squatter colony along the railroad tracks at the corner of Algeciras and Maria Clara streets, forcing his men to fire back.

A brief gunbattle ensued, with police units from the WPD headquarters providing support to the raiding team. After the shootout, a saturation drive was conducted resulting in the arrest of the seven suspects, including the wounded Torno.

Residents told police another suspect identified as Edilberto de la Cruz was able to elude the police dragnet.

WPD director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong had revived the sekretas or "detective system," which he said had been proven in the past to be effective in crime repression.