Cop wanted for carjacking delivery van caught

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) arrested a suspended police officer wanted for robbery and carjacking of a delivery van with food, personal care and home care in Pasig City four months ago.

Police Officer 2 Aniel Arceo, of the National Capital Regional Police Office-Personnel Holding Administrative Office, was arrested by virtue of the warrant of arrest issued by Pasig City Judge Roland Mislang. He was charged with highway robbery and car theft.

HPG spokesman Superintendent Edwin Butacan said Arceo was arrested in his house in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City by operatives of the HPG-Special Operations Division.

Butacan said Arceo and a companion, both wearing police uniforms, flagged down a truck loaded with P2.8 million worth of products along the Manggahan floodway, purportedly due to a traffic violation.

When the driver stopped, Arceo and his companion allegedly hijacked the truck. The products were never recovered, but the truck driver and helpers reported the incident and identified Arceo.

Butacan said records show a Makati City court issued a warrant of arrest but they posted P200,000 bail, while a Pasig City court also issued a warrant and set P300,000 bail.

Investigators said Arceo may have links to “other groups involved in hijacking,” and Butacan said Arceo appeared to be the leader of his own group.