Alleged robbery group members fall in raid

CEBU, Philippines - Three suspected members of a notorious robbery group in Mindanao were nabbed at their rented room at sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City early morning yesterday by a joint operation of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, Special Reaction Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Authorities gave out the first names of the suspects but The FREEMAN is withholding the same pending an ongoing operation against their leader. The leader was the original target of the operation, but was able to elude arrest. A warrant of arrest for murder was supposed to be served against him.

Four small sachets of shabu; drug paraphernalia including tin foils, a disposable lighter and wicks; a hand grenade; a blue Jianshe motorcycle with plate number OF-8325; a red Lifam motorcycle YV-6590; and assorted firearms including two caliber .45 pistols with two magazines loaded with 12 bullets and a .38 revolver loaded with five bullets were seized from the three suspects.

The packets of shabu have been turned over to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis while the firearms were subjected to a ballistic examination.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said the arrest of the three suspects is an offshoot of a series of operations conducted after the arrest of Arman Tipontipon in Bogo City last Wednesday.

Comendador said intelligence reports also linked the suspects’ leader to a robbery group in Ozamis City.

“Sa info duna kuno’y grupo nga nanulod from Mindanao nga mo-hit sa province somewhere sa norte so possible robbery,” Comendador said.

In an interview, one of the suspects denied the allegations, albeit admitting that he had with him a pistol that was reportedly left with him by one of his companions. He said he is willing to undergo a drug test to clear his name.

The suspects said they arrived in Cebu a week ago. One of them works as a construction worker while the other two are working as multicab conductors.

Comendador said they are not discounting the possibility of the suspects’ involvement in killing of businessman Antonio Ouano. He said his men are coordinating with the Mandaue City Police Office continuously. He said intelligence reports also linked the suspects to the massacre of an alleged Kuratong Baleleng gang member Fernando Canillo and his family in Lapu-Lapu City last June 10. (FREEMAN)