Robbery gang engages cops in gunbattle; 2 caught

Two suspected members of a notorious robbery gang were arrested by operatives of the Western Police District (WPD) following a running gunbattle with the police last Thursday in Tondo, Manila.

The suspects admitted being henchmen of Cesar Cañarez, leader of the Cañarez Gang believed responsible for a series of robbery incidents in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, according to WPD-Theft and Robbery Section commander Senior Inspector Leopoldo Mangilinan. The Cañarez Gang is also included in the Philippine National Police’s Order of Battle on organized crime.

Mangilinan identified the arrested suspects as Virgilio Losa, 46, of 1154 Bambang street, Tondo; and Reynaldo Gloria, 55, of 757 Laguna Extension, Tondo, Manila.

According to Mangilinan he dispatched a team of operatives in the Sampaloc district area Wednesday night after concerned residents informed him of the presence of suspicious-looking men on board a brown Nissan Vanette.

Mangilinan’s men then chanced upon the said vehicle at about 1:30 a.m. last Thursday in front of Earthlink Computer store at the corner of Musa and Dapitan streets in Sampaloc with two men loading several computer units inside the vehicle.

When the police identified themselves, the men readily sped away on board their vehicle and fired at the pursuing operatives. A running gunbattle then ensued until the suspects’ vehicle was intercepted at the corner of Bambang and Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Tondo.

Two of the suspects surrendered while the van’s driver, later identified as Ronaldo Castro alias Tukmol, escaped by scampering into a dimly lit alley along Bambang street.

Recovered from the suspects were two unlicensed caliber .38 revolvers with spent shells, and a basket containing a bolt cutter, a heavy duty screwdriver, a flashlight, a cross-range and a spare license plate TMV-106. Also recovered were several computer units and accessories.

Mangilinan said the Cañarez Gang has been dubbed by the police as the No.1 bolt cutter robbery gang operating in Metro Manila and in Regions 1 and 4. They are believed responsible for a series of heists on big establishments with their loot running into millions.

Case investigator PO3 Rodolfo de los Reyes said charges of robbery, direct assault, and illegal possession of firearms were filed against the suspects including the escaped driver. – Nestor Etolle