EPD to hunt down 2 'Salisi Gang' members

MANILA, Philippines – The Eastern Police District (EPD) ordered yesterday a manhunt for two “Salisi Gang” members who robbed a retired chemist in Pasig City on Aug. 23.

The EPD also released a sketch of one of the men, identified only as “Gerry,” as EPD director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel reiterated his call for the gang’s other victims to file charges.

Melania Masadlak, 54; Joan Goho, 32; and Jean Pamalias, 35, identified Gerry and another man, alias Buboy, as their companions when they robbed Maria Veronica Kalaw, 41, at the Ortigas Commercial Center.

Kalaw identified Gerry as the one who tapped her vehicle’s driver side window to inform her that a key was still stuck in the keyhole of her rear compartment. She said she did not get a good look at Buboy’s face.

Laurel said Masadlak, Goho and Pamalias were arrested on March 23, 2011 and gave false names to mislead investigators.

At least three complainants, including a staffer of Vice President Jejomar Binay, have identified the arrested gang members as those who robbed them of at least P1.5 million on separate occasions last year.

Laurel said he is now coordinating with other police units and government investigating agencies to get the suspects’ true identities and to check whether they are the subjects of arrest warrants in other parts of the country.

The gang members were charged with theft and Laurel said they would amend their charge sheet to include charges of concealing true identity, which carries a minimal fine of P500.

The Pasig City prosecutor’s office has yet to set bail for the suspects.