Alleged teen crime gang leader arrested

MANILA, Philippines - The teenage leader of a robbery gang whose members also reportedly molest their victims has been arrested by the police in Tondo, Manila.

Raxabago, Tondo police station chief Superintendent Roderick Mariano said the 16-year-old alleged gang leader is the subject of complaints from commuters and jeepney passengers who were either beaten, stabbed or molested after being robbed.

An anti-crime drive was conducted Monday in crime-prone areas in Tondo, and the teenager was among those invited for questioning.

“It turned out that this teen has been on the list of the station’s most wanted. I immediately called on the victims for positive identification of the alleged gang leader,” Mariano said.        

A 14-year-old female student identified the suspect as one of several youths who robbed her of her cellular phone.

An 18-year-old female student told police that the suspect molested her after taking her cell phone.

Mariano said the teenager also reportedly shot Denmark Battung, 18, last May 17. The victim is still confined in critical condition at the Ospital ng Maynila, he added.

Multiple charges of robbery, violation of the anti-child abuse law, acts of lasciviousness and frustrated murder were filed against the teenager, Mariano said.