Holdup man preying on MRT commuters nabbed

Traffic enforcers of the Makati Department of Public Safety (DPS) apprehended a notorious holdup suspect victimizing commuters at the MRT Edsa Guadalupe station.

Mayor Jejomar Binay commended traffic enforcers Roberto Artus, Fernando Bernardo, Napoleon Cautiver, Ramon Gomez Jr., Florencio Santos Jr. and Antonio Ratin for the arrest.

The six traffic enforcers are detailed in Edsa and East Cloverleaf, Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City headed by Police Inspector Oscar Alicando, chief traffic investigator of the Makati Traffic Enforcement Unit.

Binay said the bravery and courage of the traffic enforcers contributed to the city government’s mission of excellent public service.

"The arrest of Louie Caneda, 29, a resident of Anabu II, Dasmariñas Cavite, and a notorious robber preying on MRT passengers, will surely bring down incidents of robbery-holdup in the area," Binay stressed.

The suspect and an unidentified companion held up Joseph Salva, a resident of Legaspi Street, Barangay Valenzuela, and took from him P100,000 in cash.

Salva, however, shouted for help and the DPS traffic enforcers chased the suspects who scattered the stolen money in a desperate move to evade arrest. The traffic enforcers cordoned off the area and recovered P99,000 before pouncing on the suspect.

Caneda was arrested but his managed to escape. He is now detained at the Makati Central Police Station while a case is being readied against him. — Rhodina Villanueva