New 'akyat bahay' group in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines - The Parañaque City police said yesterday they have uncovered a new “akyat bahay” gang allegedly behind a series of burglaries in posh subdivisions and condominiums in southern Metro Manila.

Senior Police Office 4 Charlie Bayoca identified the group’s alleged leader as Ryan Torres Franciso, 29, who is also known as Ryan Francisco Flores. He is an alleged former member of the dissolved Snake Robbery Group in Pasay City.

Boyoca told The STAR that Francisco and his usual companion, Joan Rivero, 20, have been tagged in several burglaries in Parañaque and Muntinlupa from June to September. Their group, which has four other members, also has a recorded arrest in 2008.

Two of their recent hits were in Sun Valley Village in Parañaque, where a homeowner lost P2 million in cash and valuables.

The other one was in Brittany Bay in Muntinlupa where Francisco, Rivero and an 18-year-old were nabbed on Sept. 9 for taking a gold necklace and cellular phone worth P522,000.

“The problem is they would usually post bail after the arrest,” Bayoca said.

According to Bayoca, the group members wear smart casual clothes during their operations and would usually target empty houses or condo units.

They would enter the subdivisions using high-end vehicles, which they acquire through car rental shops. They get into condominiums by pretending to be unit owners, Bayoca said.

The group members do not hurt their victims and are not armed during the break-ins.