Rob gang threatens Caloocan police

MANILA, Philippines - A robbery gang operating in northern Metro Manila area has threatened that “it will go all-out against the Caloocan police” if lawmen will not ease up on its members.

The threat came after the arrest of two members of the Panoy gang two weeks ago and the death of another in an alleged shootout in Bagong Silang last Jan. 29.

“A police official received a text message the other day, saying that they (gang) will be forced to fight if we won’t leave them alone,” an official told The STAR.

The source also disclosed that there is an investigation on policemen allegedly protecting the gang.

The insider said the “protectors” were not directly involved in the gang’s operation, but they “partake of the fruits.”

“The group gives them allowances and gifts on special occasions. In return, they turn a blind on these people,” he said.

Police officers earlier arrested alleged gang members Jayvee Valencia and Willard Francisco.

They also killed Ibrahim Menor – the alleged henchman of reported gang leader Arthur Bandiola – when he tried to flee as they were about to serve him a warrant for his arrest.

Menor, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, rammed his motorcycle into one of the police patrol cars when he was cornered. He then pulled out a caliber .45 pistol and a hand grenade and shot at the lawmen as he was trying to maneuver to escape, according to reports.

“There was a running gun battle that lasted for at least three minutes before he was killed. Luckily, no one from our operatives were injured,” Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante said.

Menor was wanted for murder, illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms, robbery and car theft. He was in the most wanted list of the National Capital Region Police Office joint intelligence task group.

 “The death of Menor and the recent arrest of Valencia and Francisco practically crippled the group. It is now a matter of time before we put these people behind bars,” Bustamante said.

Meanwhile, Northern Police District director Chief Superintendent Jonathan Miano said he is still verifying reports that there are policemen protecting Bandiola and his men. 

“We will seek the assistance of other police intelligence units to confirm such reports. If these reports are true then we will file charges against them. There is no place for these policemen in our organization,” he said.