2 robbery gang leaders nabbed in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Two alleged leaders of a robbery group said to be responsible for victimizing foreigners during the Southeast Asian Games were apprehended in separate operations in Manila over the weekend.

One of the suspects was Adrian Lapuz, 20, of R. Papa street in Sampaloc, police said.

Maj. Rommel Anicete, chief of the Manila Police District (MPD) criminal investigation and detection unit, withheld the identity of the second suspect, who is undergoing interrogation.

Anicete said the arrest of the suspects came following the order of MPD director Brig. General Bernabe Balba to conduct checkpoints and Oplan Sita operations to secure the public during the holidays.

Two other suspects, John Albert Buenaflor and a man known only as Nissan, managed to escape.

Police said they launched the operations based on the complaint of a businessman who lost more than P300,000 to the group during a heist at the corner of Pedro Gil and Bocobo streets in Ermita on Dec. 18.

Balba directed all police station commanders in Manila to conduct checkpoints and go after motorcycle-riding criminals.

He also ordered the deployment of additional policemen in bus terminals, ports, malls and other places of convergence to protect the public against criminals.