Cops capture FX robbers

Operatives of the Central Police District-Station 7 have arrested suspected members of the "Lagalag Gang" responsible for a series of robberies inside public utility vehicles in Cubao.

Superintendent Benigno Durana, chief of CPD-Station 7 in Cubao, identified the suspects as Marlon Justo, 21, of Marikina City; George Pinon, 22, of Marikina City; Joel Cabututan, 33, of San Mateo, Rizal; and Renato Bagasala.

Police likewise impounded a maroon FX taxi (UBE-857), which is being used by the syndicate as their get-away vehicle.

A subsequent check at the Land Transportation Office revealed that the FX plies the Cubao-Marikina route, Durana said.

Police recovered from the suspects a caliber .38 Smith and Wesson handgun, a fan knife and valuables taken from their victims.

Durana said that the police operation against the group stemmed from an information received from an asset.

On April 23, Durana formed two teams to pursue the suspects — the first team tailed the suspects and the FX taxi they would be hitting while the second team monitored the get-away FX taxi.

At 11:45 a.m. the first team tracked three suspects who hailed an FX taxi along Aurora Boulevard going to Sta. Mesa. The second team was waiting at a nearby gas station, which police identified as the gang’s meeting and pick-up point.

After the three suspects robbed the passengers of the FX, they headed for the gas station.

The operation was nearly jeopardized when two motorcycle riding officers arrived at the scene, prompting the get-away vehicle to speed off, leaving three suspects behind at the gas station.

Justo and Pinon were arrested. The two others were nabbed in follow-up operations. – Katherine Adraneda