"They may have been able to run from the law, but if they think they can safely hide in Camanava, they are completely mistaken. We will always find them and bring them to justice," NPD director Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales said.
Both men were wanted by the law — one on a conviction, the other awaiting trial on charges of robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide.
First to fall was Christopher Salgado, alias "Thoper and Nonoy Laguda," 23, a native of Bayonbon, Masbate, with address in Catmon, Malabon City.
Chief Inspector Jimili Macaraeg, District Police Intelligence Unit (DPIU) chief, said he and his men arrested Salgado last Tuesday along Sabalo street in Barangay 8, Dagatdagatan, Caloocan City.
Three days earlier, Macaraeg’s men arrested one of Salgado’s men, Rudy Dulfo, 29, who squealed on his boss while being investigated.
Salgado was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Malabon Judge Leonardo Molina.
He was known as the leader of a notorious robbery-holdup group victimizing commuters in Malabon and nearby cities and towns. A record check showed members of Salgado’s group were arrested in 1998 by Malabon police, but the victims refused to file charges.
Salgado is listed by the police as No. 2 most wanted in Malabon and No. 5 in Camanava.
Meanwhile, suspect Ruben Engracio, 22, a native of Aurora, Quezon with address in Tonsuya, Malabon, was collared last Tuesday night at the house of his sister in the same barangay.
Engracio was arrested by a team made up of inspector Vicente Cabatingan and his men of the San Francisco, Quezon police and members of the Special Operations Group and Intelligence Unit of the Malabon police, led by SPO1 Resito Roque.
Malabon investigation chief Inspector Jorge Tabayag said Engracio escaped from the San Francisco municipal jail in March 3, 2002. – With Pete Laude