DOJ: Police closing in on Ozamis rob gang boss

MANILA, Philippines - Police are closing in on recapturing Ricky Cadavero, leader of the notorious Ozamis robbery gang, who escaped from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City last Dec. 8, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday.

“In the next few days we are hoping, expecting some positive developments,” she told reporters in a chance interview.

De Lima refused to give further details so as not to jeopardize ongoing manhunt for Cadavero.

Cadavero was able to escape from the NBP when three men posing as his visitors pointed guns at the jail guards.

The three men, along with Cadavero, escaped on two motorcycles, according to the NBP report.

De Lima has ordered the relief of two prison guards, Jail Officers 1 Ernesto Aquino and Niño Aquino, who were manning the West Gate of Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) where Cadavero alias “Kambal” was reportedly snatched by the three armed men.

Police tagged the Ozamis robbery group behind a number of daring robberies in malls in Metro Manila, including those in Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Metro East, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Novaliches and Robinsons Dasmariñas, and a Landbank branch in Quezon City.

Policemen have been alerted for a robbery attempt on banks and commercial establishments by the gang following the escape of Cadavero.