'Marlboro' carjack gang leader falls in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig City Police on Thursday arrested the alleged leader and one member of the notorious “Marlboro Carnapping Gang” in Barangay Western Bicutan.

Taguig Police chief, Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis, said operatives led by Senior Inspector Joey Prieto arrested Jonathan Dimaano, 31, the alleged gang leader and his cohort Moonderf John Corpuz, 30.

Asis said the suspects were nabbed at about 3:20 p.m. at the vicinity of the Land Transportation Office-FTI branch at Arca South.

He said that prior to the arrest of the suspects, the Taguig police received a tip from an informant of the suspects’ presence in the area.

Asis said the “Marlboro Carnapping Group” is responsible for the series of car theft incidents in Taguig City and was included in the Police’s Criminal Gang Watch List.

When searched, Dimaano and Corpuz, both residents of Barangay Central Bicutan in Taguig, yielded a .45 pistol loaded with five live bullets and one a .38 revolver loaded with three bullets.

The suspects are now detained at the Taguig City Police Station as appropriate charges are being readied against them.