3 boys nabbed in Malabon jeepney heist

MANILA, Philippines - Four robbery suspects, including three minors, were arrested while reportedly robbing a passenger jeepney in Malabon City Saturday.

Superintendent Reynaldo Orante, Malabon City police acting chief, identified the suspects as Rannie Lacuesta, 21, resident of Sitio 6 in Barangay Catmon; and the three boys named only as Jay, 17; Mat, 17; and R-R, 16.

A seven-man team from the Malabon City police Sub-station 4, led by Senior Police Officer 1 Gilbert Bansil, arrested the suspects along M.H. del Pilar street in Barangay Tinajeros at around 3:45 p.m.

Victims Arnold Razon, 31; April Rose Razon, 25; Arlene Guballa, 20; and Gerald Ilagan, 39, were aboard a passenger jeepney en route to Valenzuela City when the four suspects robbed them at knifepoint while they were cruising a dimly lit portion of M.H. del Pilar street.

Before the suspects could flee, a police patrol vehicle arrived. The suspects jumped off the jeepney and ran in different directions, but police officers caught them.

The suspects are all residents of Barangay Catmon, a known haven of criminals in Malabon, including a group of hired assassins tagged in at least 14 gangland-style killings in the city this year.