‘Basag Kotse’ gang members nabbed

Police busted yesterday a theft syndicate operating in Metro Manila following the arrest of three suspected members of the notorious Basag Kotse Gang in Makati City.

Nabbed in an entrapment operation by the Pasay City Police were Senior Police Officer 1 Marcelino de Vera of the Philippine National Police’s Police Security Protection Office, Francisco De Vera, and Mickbeth Villahermoso.

Makati City Police chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said robbery and extortion charges were filed against the suspects.

Cruz, quoting a report by Inspector Tomas Hipolito Chu of the Makati City Police theft and robbery unit, said the entrapment operation stemmed from a complaint by Esfe Batal, 27, a sales engineer.

Policemen led by Chief Inspector Cesar Quirit nabbed the suspects after they received marked money from Batal in a fastfood store in Guadalupe, Makati.

Earlier this month, the windshield of Batal’s car was smashed while parked at the Blue Wave Commercial Complex on Macapagal Road in Pasay City.

She told police that P426,000 worth of manager’s checks, P14,000 in pouch bag, a silver bracelet, and important documents were stolen.

One of the suspects allegedly called Batal and asked for P2,000 in exchange for the return of some of the items that they stole from her. She sought police assistance, prompting Pasay City policemen to conduct an entrapment operation.         – Michael Punongbayan