2 cops arrested for P1-M robbery

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen were arrested for allegedly masterminding a robbery involving a messenger carrying P1 million in Pasay City Thursday afternoon, an official said yesterday.

Police Officers 1 Ronald Villanueva and Alas Noli Soliman were apprehended in follow-up operations, according to Pasay police chief Senior Superintendent Melchor Reyes.

Messenger Jeffrey Rabe, who works for the Senube Travel and Tour Co., was supposed to deposit P1 million when he was robbed by two men on a motorcycle at the corner of Macapagal Boulevard and Buendia Extension at around 4:30 p.m.

However, traffic enforcer Jeffery Tapere and Police Officer 2 Malon Manlapaz, of the Manila Police District, who were in the area, arrested the driver of the motorcycle, Limuel Camposagrado.

Camposagrado disclosed the whereabouts of his alleged accomplice, Alexander Pantoja, who yielded a 9mm pistol that turned out to be Villanueva’s service firearm.

Villanueva was arrested at his home in Cavite. The police officers who arrested him found P49,000 in his pocket and P300,000 in his bedroom, according to Reyes.

Camposagrado also identified Soliman, who was arrested at his home in Valenzuela City, Reyes said.

A third policeman linked to the crime, Police Officer 2 Mark John Manguera, remains at large. His wife turned over a 9mm Beretta pistol with 15 bullets to the police officers who went to his home in Manila.

All three policemen are assigned to the precinct in the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.