8 robbery suspects nabbed over the weekend

Four notorious robbers operating in the northern metropolis were nabbed in a series of operations over the weekend in Navotas and Caloocan City while four armed men were also arrested minutes after they robbed a passenger of an air-conditioned bus along EDSA in Mandaluyong City yesterday.

The Northern Police District intelligence unit arrested Joseph Francisco, a Sputnik gang member, and a resident of Kaunlaran Village, Caloocan City; Bryan Jimenez, 21, also a Sputnik gang member; and Rommel Morres, 18, both residents of North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS), Navotas. They were the prime suspects in the robbery of one Michael Nimo Obina last Friday.

Obina, 20, son of Caloocan City assessor’s office head Numenia Obina, sustained four stabbed wounds in the neck, shoulder and nape for putting up a fight against the three armed robbers but survived.

The victim was reportedly walking along Langaray st. corner Padas Alley in Kaunlaran Village, Caloocan at around 10 a.m. when attacked by the suspects.

The robbers divested him of his mobile phone and other valuables but concerned residents who saw the heist immediately called the police for assistance.

NPD agents also arrested a robbery suspect whose modus operandi is to introduce himself as a police officer to his would be victims and easily rid them of their valuables.

Ronito Vargas, 32, of Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City was apprehended for robbing students Alvin Tabios, 20; and Lorilie Boyras, 17, both Navotas residents.

Meanwhile, in the bus robbery in Mandaluyong City, the suspects — Jepoy Dulay, Leonil de los Santos, Eliseo Francisco and Edward Lanola — did not put up a fight when cornered by members of mobile car 270A of the Mandaluyong City police at around 12:30 a.m.

They yielded fan knives and admitted the robbery, said Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Mandaluyong City police chief.

The four suspects were presented before the media yesterday by Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD) and PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil in Camp Crame.

Valenzuela said they are conducting background investigation against the four suspects to determine whether they are also behind other aircon bus robberies in Metro Manila.

Velasquez said a Gazat Express bus was traveling on the southbound lane of EDSA when the suspects, armed with knives, announced a heist. But after the suspects divested passenger Anthony Mogul, a resident of Barangay San Jose in Mandaluyong City, of his cellphone worth P20,000, other passengers started rushing out of the bus and attracted the attention of a mobile car manned by PO1 Isagani Escoral and PO1 Jose Zapata.

Outnumbered and outgunned, the suspects gave themselves up peacefully.

Velasquez said the four suspects appeared to be high on drugs and gave inconsistent statements during tactical interrogation.

They are now detained at the Mandaluyong City detention center while charges of robbery-holdup will be filed against them today before the city’s prosecutor’s office. — Pete Laude and Non Alquiran