Manila cops begin street crime sweep

Manila police arrested yesterday seven suspected holdup men preying on commuters along Taft Avenue as part of their massive operations to clear the metropolis of lawless elements in time for the opening of classes tomorrow.

No less than Ermita police station chief Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias led his plainclothes operatives in a number of stake out operations in known lairs of criminal elements, resulting in apprehensions.

"The operation is part of the police plan to ensure the safety of students who will be trooping to schools on Monday upon the directive of Mayor Lito Atienza and our chief Gen. Pedro Bulaong," Jamias said.

He identified the arrested suspects as Joebert Palma, Ricky Dizon, Efren Reyes, Sebastian Nuñez, Joselito Alunaid, Mervin Villareal and Danilo Flores. Recovered from the suspects were assorted bladed weapons.

"This group is involved in a series of holdup incidents inside passenger jeepneys plying the Lagusnilad area and near Rizal Park," Jamias said, adding that with the arrest of the suspects, he is optimistic that cases of robbery and holdup within his area of jurisdiction will decrease.

Charges of robbery holdup were filed against the suspects who are now locked up at the detention cell of the Ermita police station.

Last Thursday, a notorious robbery gang, reportedly behind the series of heists inside passenger jeepneys and FX taxis plying the Sta. Ana route was neutralized with the arrest of its leader and two cohorts.

Sta. Ana police station chief Superintendent Quirico Vinagrera identified the suspects as Jaime Aldave, 37, the alleged leader, and his nephew Carmelo Aldave, 27, both of 2355 Tejeron st., Sta. Ana, and John Oriel Coronel, 27, of 2365 Tejeron st., Sta. Ana.

Recovered from the suspects were a caliber .38 revolver with five live bullets, a fan knife and a toy replica of a caliber .9mm pistol.

"The Aldave group is responsible for a series of robbery holdup incidents in Sta. Ana. We have information that the group is gearing up for the school opening with students as their prime targets," Vinagrera said.

Bulaong, director of the Western Police District (WPD), had placed his men on full alert for the school opening, and directed the 11 police station commanders to secure the schools in their areas of responsibility.

Operatives of the WPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and mobile patrol unit, complimented by plainclothes policemen, would also be deployed in Manila’s University Belt and the Filipino-Chinese community in Binondo.

Police had been deployed at bus terminals and at the pier zone to protect the public against holdupmen, snatchers and pickpockets.

"This preparation is an annual standard operating procedure of the WPD during school opening which produces favorable results. We hope to duplicate last year’s peaceful opening of classes, " WPD spokesman Chief Inspector Gerry Agunod said.