One of Manila's most wanted men nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - One of Manila’s most wanted men, who eluded authorities for almost seven years, has been arrested, police said yesterday.

Bryan Chang, 25, is the subject of three warrants of arrest issued by Judges Cielito Mindaro-Grulla for frustrated homicide; Felixberto Olalia, also for frustrated homicide; and Nimfa Cuesta-Vilches for frustrated murder.

Chang, the alleged leader of True Brown Style (TBS) youth gang, usually tagged in gang riots, is reportedly also involved in armed robbery and trafficking of illegal drugs, according to Chief Inspector Rolando Balasabas who heads the Warrant and Subpoena Section of the Manila Police District.

The TBS gang is reportedly primarily responsible for violent street clashes that result in injuries and deaths among passersby, police said.

Balasabas said it was one Eliseo Cornel, who was almost fatally shot by Chang in 2002, who reported the sighting of the suspect at his parents’ house in Sampaloc, Manila.

However, Balasabas learned that Chang’s parents, who were aware of the illicit activities of their son, even encouraged him to hide from authorities.

“We tapped on our informants to know the whereabouts of the fugitive suspect,” Balasabas told The STAR.   

After several days of surveillance, Balasabas and his men caught Chang at his hiding place along Almeda street in Tondo last Tuesday. The heavily tattooed suspect did not resist arrest.

Chang will be turned over to the court, even as Balasabas called on other victims of the suspect to file charges against him.