MANILA, Philippines - The alleged leader of a robbery gang targeting high-end hotels and condominiums was arrested together with his reported right-hand man during an operation at around midnight Wednesday.
Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Northern Police District (NPD) director, identified the suspects as Ryan Francisco, 27; and Morris Gilbert Sardido, 31.
Police seized from Francisco an unlicensed .380 caliber pistol with seven bullets and a bagful of assorted jewelry.
The suspects’ maroon Mitsubishi Adventure (VBC-292), they reportedly used in their illegal operation, was also impounded.
A brown bag containing assorted jewelry and several card keys of high-end hotels in Makati City were confiscated inside the suspects’ vehicle.
Police said Francisco is a leader of a “well-organized” gang that operates mostly at posh hotels and condominiums in Metro Manila. When asked by The STAR about the accusations, the suspects refused to answer questions.
Early Wednesday, Pagdilao directed Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili to conduct a surveillance operation against a gang led by Francisco after receiving a tip that they were about to stage a robbery in Grace Park, Caloocan City.
“Francisco’s group (allegedly) robbed a two-story house in Grace Park sometime last February and fled with some P200,000 loot. We got an intelligence report that they would again rob another house in the area Wednesday night,” Agcaoili told The STAR.
Agcaoili said that at around 11 p.m., they spotted the “subject vehicle” roaming aimlessly around Grace Park. The cops “tailed” the vehicle but it proceeded toward San Rafael Village in Navotas City.
The vehicle cruised toward Road 10 in Manila and continued to Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.
The suspects’ car stopped near a casino, where Francisco reportedly alighted and was arrested while placing a pistol on his belt.
“We have marked the vehicle but could not just arrest the suspects without any infraction. It was only fortunate for we caught Francisco while placing a gun on his waist as soon as he alighted from their vehicle,” Agcaoili said.– Jerry Botial, Pete Laude