Siblings run after 2 robbers

Two jeepney robbers were beaten up by an angry crowd and arrested by the police yesterday after two siblings, whom they had robbed, ran after them and shouted for help.

Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr., chief of the theft and robbery section of the Manila Police District (MPD), said Giovanni Magalona, 46, and Rolan Eserjose, 44, held up a Mabini-bound jeepney as it climbed the Quezon bridge in Quiapo before noon.

They then jumped off the jeepney and fled towards Quiapo. However, two of the passengers, 19-year-old Mario Balao and his sister, whose name was withheld, went after Magalona and Eserjose, shouting for help.

Passersby at the foot of the bridge saw the commotion, joined the chase and ganged up on two robbers. Magalona and Eserjose were already beaten up by the time policemen arrived at the scene and stopped the melee.

Arevalo said Magalona and Eserjose were believed responsible for a series of robberies onboard passenger jeepneys plying the España and Quiapo routes.

"Based on the victims’ descriptions, these two suspects may be considered as the scourge of jeepney passengers since they have already perpetrated a number of heists but have been too elusive," Arevalo said.

Recovered from the suspects were a Nokia 6680 phone and a stainless fan knife.

Magalona and Eserjose admitted during police questioning later that they had pulled off a number of successful heists on passenger jeepneys. Arevalo called on jeepney robbery victims to identify the suspects so additional charges can be filed.

MPD acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa has placed the entire police district on full alert against criminals who might take advantage of last-minute holiday shoppers.