3 Mandaluyong bus rob suspects arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested yesterday three of four men tagged in the robbery of an air-conditioned bus along EDSA in Mandaluyong City last Friday.

Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun, Mandaluyong City police chief, said one of the 26 passengers of the bus identified two of the suspects, Eric Aben, 25; and Rogelio Lunsod.

De Sagun said Aben yielded a 9mm automatic pistol.

Aben and Lunsod, both residents of Sahing street in Taguig City and a third companion were monitored arriving one after the other in front of a convenience store in Guadalupe, Makati City yesterday.

After the robbery victim identified Aben and Lunsod as among the suspects, police officers arrested them. De Sagun said the suspects appeared to be set to stage another robbery when they were arrested.

A Philippine Corinthian Bus (NYL-191) was cruising along EDSA at about 11 a.m. Friday when the four suspects drew handguns and knives and robbed the bus passengers. Bus driver Efren Cleofe, 49, said the heist was over in two minutes.

Aben and Lunsod denied the charges against them. Their companion is still undergoing tactical interrogation by the local police.

Robbery charges are being readied against Aben and Lunsod, who are being held at the Mandaluyong police detention center.