Senior Inspector Rene de Jesus, chief of the MPD’s District Detective Beat Patrol Unit, identified the suspects as Renato Lopez Jr., 30; Edwin Aguas, 19; and Wilfredo Salvo, 28, all members of the notorious Commando Gang of Tondo.
An improvised 12-gauge shotgun and several rounds of ammunition were seized from Lopez.
The suspects were the subject of numerous complaints from jeepney passengers who were divested of their cash and valuables, according to De Jesus.
"The suspects were also overheard bragging to their victims that they are not afraid of the police. So I instructed my men to be extra cautious in the arrest of these suspects since they were armed and dangerous," De Jesus said.
One of the victims, Maria Elena Rosita, told police that she was even mauled by the suspects when she refused to hand over her P4,000 cash. She suffered several bruises.
Another victim, Rommel Saldaña, reported that he lost a cellular phone worth P13,200, P20,000 in cash and an iPod worth P4,000 to the suspects.
The MPD’s Sekreta team apprehended the suspects in their hideouts following tips from informants. However, the suspects had already disposed of their loot.
They were later positively identified by their victims.
MPD acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa has ordered an intensified drive against street crimes with the onset of the Christmas season.