Cops foil bus heist attempt

MANILA, Philippines - Eastern Police District (EPD) operatives foiled yesterday an alleged attempt by at least nine men to rob a bus in Mandaluyong City.

The suspects – Leo de la Cruz, 28; Ramil Ramos, 21; Alberto Dagatan, 26; Ronald Flores, 27; Carlos Pastor, 34; Joel Canerejo, 41; Noel Uzon, 35; Wilfredo Magtolo, 36, and Teddy Manera, 45 – surrendered. They yielded several handguns and fan knives.

Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun, Mandaluyong City police chief, said they received a flash report regarding an ongoing robbery in a Don Mariano bus from other police units at about 3 p.m. yesterday.

Operatives from the Mandaluyong City police and the Public Safety Management Battalion of the EPD rushed towards EDSA and caught up with the bus near the EDSA Shrine.

The EPD policemen blocked and surrounded the bus, while at the same time asking the robbery suspects to surrender.

Only one bus passenger, Ronald Tabada, 34, who almost lost P1,400 to the suspects, filed an attempted robbery case against them.