2 men nabbed for jeepney heists

MANILA, Philippines - Two alleged robbers were arrested for separate jeepney heists along E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard in Quezon City on Friday.

Byron Estabillo, 20, and Jerome Barcenas, 31, are facing robbery charges, police said.

Estabillo was nabbed after he and his two cohorts declared a hold up inside a Quiapo-bound jeepney along Broadway Street in Barangay Kristong Hari.

Police said the suspects pretended to be passengers before pulling out their guns and knives and demanded the victims’ valuables.

The suspects jumped off the vehicle after taking the victims’ cell phones, cash and other belongings.

The passengers reported the incident to patrolling barangay watchmen and policemen in the area.

Estabillo was collared by pursuing lawmen, who recovered from him P3,500 of the cash and two cell phones. His two cohorts managed to escape.

Barcenas, on the other hand, was arrested after he allegedly stole the cell phone of a jeepney passenger at the corner of E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard and G. Araneta Avenue in Barangay Tatalon.

Jerome Gebana, 23, said the suspect suddenly grabbed his cell phone and ran out of the jeepney.

The suspect was intercepted by patrolling policemen who saw the commotion. Police recovered from him a knife and the stolen phone.