3 Akyat-Bahay suspects caught

Three alleged members of the notorious “Akyat-Bahay” gang were arrested by the police at their hideout in Malate, Manila yesterday.

Police recovered eight digital video disc (DVD) players, a lady’s wristwatch and a cell phone at the hideout.

During the operation, a woman who allegedly acted as a fence was also arrested after she assaulted an arresting officer with a steel chair.

Manila Police District (MPD) Theft and Robbery Section head Chief Inspector Benigno Macalindong identified the suspects as Ernesto Tastar, 22; Ronaldo Paat, 32; and Ferdinand Fontanilla, 22, all members of the Batang City Jail and residents of a squatters’ compound along Onyx street in San Andres Bukid.

According to Macalindong, the suspects strike individually on unguarded houses and steal valuables, which are later sold and the proceeds divided among them.

Eddie Chua, owner of the Glory to God Merchandise along Dagonoy street, complained that he was robbed of 10 DVD players and a portable stereo when the suspects pried the roof of his store open.

Police Officer 2 Lutgardo Lising lost jewelry and cash after his house in San Andres Bukid was burglarized by the suspects. Inspector Larry Tulaguit lost his cell phone when one of the suspects managed to get into his house Wednesday night.

Macalindong and his men traced the group’s hideout to Onyx street and arrested three of the gang members. The gang leaders, identified as “Alvin” and “Dodong,” managed to escape.

One of the suspects led police to their fence, identified as Jane Bastugen, 25, of Tenorio street in San Andres, Bukid. Recovered from her was one DVD player, which she admitted buying for P1,000 from the suspects.

During the arrest, Bastugen managed to get hold of a steel chair and hit Lising, who was rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila for treatment. Bastugen said she was not aware that what she had bought were stolen items.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales commended Macalindong and his men for neutralizing the Akyat-Bahay gang.  – Nestor Etolle