Brains behind P15-M Landbank heist arrested

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The brains behind the P15- million Landbank vehicle highway heist in Buguais town two months ago fell to the police the other day in Quirino province, Cagayan Valley.

Marcelino Nginhina, 38, a former police officer who went on AWOL in 1997 after serving as assistant supply officer of the Cordillera police support group based in Camp Dangwa, was positively identified by witnesses.

Benguet police chief Sr. Supt. Conrado Minano said Nginhina’s cohorts who are either former cops or servicemen in the military are still on the loose. "We are tracking them down and hope to bag them soon," he said.

Nginhina is being eyed to turn state witness against seven of his cohorts in the P15 million heist.

Benguet Governor Raul Molintas commended the policemen and called on the national government’s attention to the plight of policemen in the country, whom he believes turn to criminal activities just to eke out a decent living.

The governor also vowed to shell out some financial support for Benguet policemen who are working to regain the confidence of businessmen in the province after the P15 million Landbank heist dealt a blow to the local business community. — Artemio Dumlao