2 cops nab 7 suspected robbers in Valenzuela

MANILA, Philippines - Seven robbery suspects surrendered to two police officers who chased them after they allegedly robbed a plastics recycling factory in Valenzuela City yesterday morning.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Ranier Idio identified the suspects as Honorio Espiran, 29; Elorde Hacolve, 44, helper; Angelito Batiancila Jr., 32; Ariel Montano, 32, a former security guard; Samuel Cayuban, 25; Fred Gregory III, 37, driver of the getaway sport utility vehicle (SUV); and Ricardo Homagdao, 38.

Espiran, Cayuban and Homagdao were armed with a .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver and a 12-gauge shotgun, respectively. The others were unarmed and believed to have acted as lookouts, Idio said.

The Mitsubishi Adventure (ADV-219), upon verification with the Land Transportation Office, turned out to be owned by one of the suspects. Gregory denied he was a member of the group, telling investigators his car was commandeered at gunpoint by the other suspects at around 2 a.m. yesterday in Navotas.

Senior Police Officer 2 Jesus Sagisi said Espiran, Montano and Cayuban, posing as customers, robbed the Asia Star Plastic Manufacturing office on Parada Road at around 10:30 a.m.

Sagisi said after taking the loot, the suspects drove towards the North Luzon Expressway at the Paso de Blas toll exit.

An employee was able to get out of the office undetected during the heist and called the police from a nearby establishment.

PO3 Nicolas Villano and PO1 Gerrynell Bagtasos, both of the Paso de Blas police community precinct, heard the alarm over the radio and spotted the getaway vehicle as it passed in front of the precinct.

Bagtasos and Villano went after the suspects on foot.

The suspects told The STAR they decided not to fight it out, thinking they were outnumbered and outgunned by the police they thought waited for them at the tollgate.

Idio said they are trying to determine whether the group is a remnant of the Alvin Flores Gang, and if they were involved in previous robberies in Metro Manila.

Idio told The STAR he is recommending a spot promotion for Villano and Bagtasos for their bravery, disregarding personal safety in doing their duty.