‘Waray-waray Gang’ members arrested

ANGELES CITY — Three notorious members of the dreaded Solid Bonnet Waray-waray gang, a big time robbery syndicate operating in Metro Manila and in different areas in Central Luzon, were arrested in various areas in Angeles City.

The intelligence and investigation branch have identified 13 of its members recently, including four active Army soldiers.

Senior Superintendent Policarpio Segubre, City police director, identified the arrested suspects as Canisio Liad Abella, a native of Samar and the alleged leader of the gang; and Felix Mercado Mara and Ernesto Bayona.One of the gang members, identified as Jaime "Dondon" Moslares, eluded arrest.

Abella and Mara were placed behind bars while Bayona is presently under the custody of the Intelligence and Investigation Branch of the Angeles City Police Office.

Segubre said the arrest was timely as the city will host two events of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games and hundreds of foreign delegates, including athletes, officials, and other visitors have started arriving in the city.

"We believe these people have something to do with the series of robberies and hold-up in the city and we do not want that visitors to be victimized by this gang," said Segubre.

He said Bayona told the police of their activities after he was shot by Mara over a heated altercation in their safehouse. Bayona was hit in the right leg but was able to escape and was brought to the hospital by motorists.

Policemen placed Bayona under their custody and brought the cops to Bangkusay st., in Barangay Amsic, Angeles City, their alleged safehouse.

Among the cases the gang was involved with are the killing of a businessman in Quezon City in 2002, a robbery hold-up in San Francisco del Monte in 2003, robbery hold-up in Sallave Store in Angeles City, in March 2005, and robbery hold-up at U-need Store in April 2005.

Police also recorded more than a dozen other cases that involved the gang.

Segubre said frustrated murder and illegal drugs charges have been filed in court against the suspects. — Ric Sapnu