Cop linked to Pasay rob gang

The Pasay City police arrested yesterday a policeman for allegedly being part of a robbery gang operating in the city.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Marietto Valerio said Police Officer 2 Benedict Tagle, 30, was apprehended by a team led by Superintendent Samuel Turla after a robbery victim reported his loss to the police.

Nursing aide Ronaldo Alva told police that at around 4 a.m. yesterday, he was waiting for a ride at the corner of Gil Puyat Extension and Roxas Boulevard when Tagle, along with three other men in a Tamaraw FX (PXK-907), forced him to get into the vehicle but he resisted.

The suspects, who all introduced themselves as police officers, were successful in taking Alva’s cell phone and office identification card.

Turla’s team tracked the Tamaraw FX, which they sighted along F.B. Harrison street. Alva identified Tagle, who was recently assigned to the Support Services Group of the Southern Police District (SPD), as one of the four men who attacked him.

The police team confiscated a 9mm Beretta pistol, several identification and credit cards from Tagle, who alleged he has four more companions, three police officers and a civilian. Valerio refused to reveal the names of Tagle’s cohorts pending the completion of an investigation into the robbery group’s activities.

According to a police report, Tagle’s group allegedly robbed Rodel Tiempo, Carlo Cariño and Noel Fernandez near the Cuneta Astrodome last May 11.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman said though there was an order for Tagle to report to the office on May 15, he has not showed up. Appropriate criminal and administrative charges are being prepared against Tagle at the Pasay police station.        – Rhodina Villanueva