2 holdup gang suspects nabbed in Pandacan

Police nabbed two alleged members of a holdup gang reportedly responsible for robbing taxi drivers and passengers in Pandacan, Manila yesterday.

Ryan Alcantara, 26; and Richard Ventura, 24, were identified by taxi driver Merlolito Cataya, 58, as among the three passengers who robbed him of his P2,000 earnings and cell phone, according to Pandacan police station chief Superintendent Abad Osit.

Cataya said the three men boarded his taxicab along United Nations Avenue at around 4 a.m. and directed him to drive to Pandacan. They robbed him when they reached Quirino Avenue, and fled on foot.

Cataya sought help from barangay watchmen in the area who chased the fleeing suspects, one of whom fell into a creek and escaped.

Following Cataya’s complaint, Osit led his men in the pursuit of the suspects and, with the help of barangay chairwoman Norma Basilio, nabbed two of the suspects.

Ventura denied the allegations, but Osit found Cataya’s cell phone in his possession. The two suspects eventually admitted, but claimed the money was taken by their leader, the suspect who escaped.

Osit said the three suspects may be responsible for a series of robberies in Pandacan involving taxi drivers and passengers. “The suspects’ features matched the descriptions given by their previous victims,” Osit said. He called on other holdup victims to come to the police station and identify the arrested suspects.             – Nestor Etolle