PNP forms Task Group 'Alvin Flores'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has created Task Group Alvin Flores to neutralize the organized crime group and its reputed leader, tagged in the daring Greenbelt 5 mall robbery in Makati City last Oct. 18.

Alarmed over the rising cases of crimes against property, President Arroyo directed PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to address the problem.

The task group, to be headed by Chief Superintendent Raul Castañeda, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group would include personnel from the CIDG, Intelligence Group (IG) and the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER).

To ensure the safety and gain the trust and confidence of the public, Verzosa directed Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales and Castañeda to conduct a massive information drive against the gang, including putting up P500,000 for Flores’ capture.

In a command conference presided by Deputy Director General Geary Barias, the PNP’s deputy chief for administration last Oct. 22, the PNP admitted that the Greenbelt 5 mall robbery created an impression that the police are not on top of the peace and order situation, not only in Metro Manila but also in other parts of the country.

“The citizens are not assured of their safety in their homes and on the streets due to the lack of swift and determined police response to significant crime incidents,” a two-page police report said, apparently referring to the Greenbelt 5 mall robbery.

The police regional offices nationwide were directed by Verzosa to do their share in the neutralization of the Alvin Flores gang.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Task Group have dispatched their respective tracker teams to different areas of Metro Manila and the provinces to go after the gang.

Slain robber’s background checked

Reports reaching Verzosa showed that the slain robber, Armando Domingo, joined the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Isabela in 1990 but surrendered to government troops in 1992.

Domingo joined the Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) under the 77th Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in San Jose, San Mariano town in Isabela in 2004. He was dismissed two years later for undisclosed reasons.

Armando is the eighth of the nine children of couple Jose and Maria Domingo, who are both deceased.

Prior to the robbery, Domingo’s elder brother, Ernesto Jr., said the robber and his live-in partner, Marie Morales, arrived in San Mariano town last Sept. 15 to lease a parcel of land owned by their parents.

Domingo is married to Lara Domingo, and they have three children. Police are checking reports that Lara has prior knowledge of Armando’s illegal activity.

However, Verzosa noted that the PNP have no records showing Domingo was involved in previous heists.

“This might be his first robbery job,” a ranking police intelligence officer based in Camp Crame said.

But a background check on Domingo showed he has a pending homicide case before the chamber of Judge Isaac de Alban of the Ilagan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16.

The PNP is also checking whether Domingo is also facing a homicide case in the Cabagan municipal trial court.

A three-page PNP report showed that Domingo’s body remains unclaimed at the Veronica Funeral Homes in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, Rosales and Castañeda are coordinating efforts to neutralize Flores and other members of the gang, responsible for at least 20 crimes not only in Metro Manila but also in other parts of Luzon province.

“We are receiving reports of the areas where they are believed hiding. We are validating these reports before conducting joint raids with the CIDG,” said Rosales.