Muntinlupa anti-crime drive nets 25

As a result of the intensified campaign against street crimes, Muntinlupa City police have arrested 25 people for various violations in a weeklong series of patrol operations.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said their running campaign includes deployment of bus and jeepney marshals to prevent robbery incidents as well as setting up of checkpoints in strategic areas.

Under Operation Bakal, Sita, and Kapkap, lawmen arrested last week nine suspects identified as Exquil Libanan, murder suspect; Rolando Lopez, robber and snatcher; Ricardo Santiago and Ricardo Lopez, members of a vault-cutting syndicate; and Milanio Gala, Cezar Rubio, Angelito Bu, Nolido Soliman, and Eliezer Laure, all caught for illegal gambling. They were nabbed in different areas in the city.

Last Tuesday, police again conducted a series of operations which resulted in the arrest of 16 other people.

Arrested were Larry Plandanio, 28; Danilo Pawat, 38; and Carlito Baquin, 36, all for illegal possession of deadly weapons; Archie James, 18; Jeffrey Amper, 21; Alona Padimdim, 29; Analyn Barsana, 25; and Sherly Cedillo, 28, for vagrancy; and six minors for violating the curfew law.

Rongavilla stressed the importance of preventive measures in combating street crimes.

The city police chief admitted that they are trying to solve a recent robbery incident that took place at a popular drugstore branch in Barangay Bayanan, where five armed suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash and belongings of daytime customers.

"We are now pursuing strong leads to the robbers’ arrest. As we always point out, we need the cooperation of the public in our operations," Rongavilla said.

City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi earlier ordered the local police force to double its effort in cracking down on street criminals by increasing visibility in major establishments and crime-prone areas.

The mayor stressed that he wants to maintain his city’s reputation as a peaceful locality.

Fresnedi said he believes that by maintaining a peaceful environment, economic growth would follow because more investors would come to the city. — Edu Punay