Rob/carnap “leader” nabbed

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines— Operatives of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Team on Tuesday arrested in Sibulan town of Negros Oriental the alleged leader of “Akyat-Bahay” robbery and carnapping gang.

The suspect, identified as Ricardo Ebasan, Jr., 44, has at least two arrest warrants for robbery and another for murder, said Inspector Robelito Mariano, head of the HPT in the province.

Ebasan is allegedly the leader of the Ebasan-Dinglasa “Akyat-Bahay” robbery/carnap gang believed responsible for a series of burglaries and carnapping incidents in Negros Oriental, Mariano said.

The warrants of arrest were issued by Judge Winston Villegas in relation to robbery incidents of motorcycles and a frustrated murder case in Tanjay City.

Aside from Ebasan, about seven other respondents, believed to be members of the gang, were named in the arrest warrants, Mariano said.

The HPT head said he and his men served the court warrants around noontime Tuesday at a rented house in Ajong village of Sibulan where Ebasan, his live-in partner Iris Dinglasa and their children were temporarily staying.

Dinglasa allegedly blocked the way of the police, while Ebasan managed to dash out of the house and ran towards the highway, prompting the authorities to put up a chase.

Ebasan exchanged fire with the pursuing operatives. He was hit in the leg and slowed him down. A scuffle ensued between a policeman and Ebasan, who dropped on the road his 9-millimeter Armscor pistol as he continued to flee, Mariano said.

Police finally caught up with Ebasan and placed him under arrest. He was brought to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital for treatment of the gunshot wound on his leg, said Mariano.

Mariano said Ebasan and Dinglasa have no permanent address and moving from one location to another. Dinglasa, several months ago, eluded arrest in Balugo, Dumaguete City and the case against her also for robbery was later dismissed.

The HPT had filed charges for carnapping and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunitions against Ebasan Wednesday afternoon at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Dumaguete, Mariano added. — Judy Flores Partlow (FREEMAN)