2 Estribo Gang members nabbed

Two bus robbery suspects, believed to be members of the “Estribo Gang,” were arrested over the weekend by the Eastern Police District in Mandaluyong City.

EPD Special Operations Group chief Senior Inspector Conrado Quilala said their long wait paid off when they arrested Ricardo Barcelona, 29, and Jonnel del Rosario, 34, both of Bulacan.

Quilala said in their desire to nab the two suspects, his men mistakenly arrested a seaman in Makati City months back. The seaman filed charges against Quilala’s men.

Quilala said Barcelona and Del Rosario, both drivers, were behind the rash of robberies involving passengers in air-conditioned buses along EDSA.

The two suspects were arrested at about 10 a.m. Saturday in a Corinthian bus with body number 1024-A near the intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard.

Quilala said the suspects admitted they were about to rob the bus passengers. The suspects yielded a .38 caliber revolver and fan knife.

EPD director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz directed Quilala to deploy plainclothes policemen in buses amid intelligence reports that robbers would strike along EDSA.

De la Cruz ordered that the suspects be charged with illegal possession of firearms and deadly weapons. – Non Alquitran