Robbery suspect caught with sword

MANILA, Philippines - A heavily tattooed suspected robber was arrested by barangay tanods as he was reportedly tailing a potential victim in Caloocan City before dawn yesterday.

Chief Inspector Illuterio Mendoza, Caloocan City Police Substation 2 commander, identified the suspect as Gil Calupas, 21, a resident of Sawata Compound in Maypajo.

Mendoza said Nicanor Legarde, a jeepney driver, was in a pedicab en route to C-3 Road from a friend’s house in Maypajo when the suspect also boarded the pedicab he was riding along Bilaran street.

Suspicious, Legarde got off along Tawilis street in Barangay 28, but Calupas also alighted and followed Legarde. Barangay tanods, led by Ronald Casalla, noticed Calupas holding a folded umbrella despite a light rain. They accosted Calupas and confiscated from him a 27-inch sword hidden in the umbrella at around 2:30 a.m.

The watchmen surrendered Calupas to the police. According to Mendoza, Calupas is reportedly a member of the dreaded Commando Gang and was released from prison only recently for charges of robbery with physical injuries.

Sawata is a depressed area bordering Maypajo and Dagat-Dagatan and is a known haven of criminals.