2 PSG men nabbed for robbery

MANILA, Philippines - Two members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were arrested before dawn yesterday for allegedly robbing a car shop in Quezon City.

Cpl. Bobby Ates, 35; and Sgt. Marvin Gaton, 31, both of the Philippine Army, were allegedly among the five men who robbed the Streamline Auto Saloon and Detailing Shop along Mindanao Avenue Extension in Barangay Lagro, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

QCPD Station 5 commander Superintendent Eleazar Matta said the five suspects, armed with handguns, barged into the shop at around midnight and hogtied security guard Manolo Panotes and handcuffed shop owner Richard Tubig.

The suspects reportedly took a laptop computer, an iPhone, an iPad, a wedding ring and other valuables. They also allegedly took a white Honda Civic owned by Tubig’s brother. The car was later found abandoned in Tondo, Manila.

Barflies

About an hour later, the police station received a call stating that men with firearms were at a KTV bar near the shop.

Matta said policemen checked and found Ates with a .9mm HK USP pistol and Gaton carrying a magazine for a .45 caliber pistol.

Matta said the two men claimed they went to the bar to “celebrate” but claimed they had been there since 10 p.m. Wednesday.

A resident told policemen that the two men arrived in a gray Mitsubishi Montero. The police officers checked the Montero, parked nearby, and found an M-16 rifle and several magazines inside.

Panotes, his arms still bound, was seen rushing out of the shop, seeking assistance. When he saw the two arrested men, he identified them as among the ones who robbed the shop.

The items stolen from the shop have yet to be recovered.

Palace supports probe

Malacañang made it clear yesterday that it will not intervene in the investigation.

“If the evidence on record warrants the filing of charges against these two, then the PSG will not stand in the way; they will have to defend themselves primarily because the PSG does not condone any wrongdoing,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

PSG chief Gen. Ramon Mateo Dizon confirmed that Alte and Gaton are members of the PSG but are not close-in security aides of President Aquino. They belong to the manpower complement that provides support staff services to the PSG.

– With Delon Porcalla