Cellphone snatching cases alarm Metro police chief

The rising cases of cellphone snatching has alarmed Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Romeo Peña. To curb the growing problem, Peña ordered the five police district directors to deploy additional policemen in shopping malls, schools and other public places were cellphone snatching is reportedly rampant.

In a recent command conference, Peña noted the rising cases of cellphone snatching, some of which resulted in the loss of lives of owners who refused to part with their expensive gadgets.

The five police district directors were ordered to identify the favorite spots where the suspects strike, the time and their modus operandi and institute ways to have them arrested.

Upon receipt of Peña’s directive, Chief Superintendent George Aliño, Eastern Police District (EPD) director ordered his four station commanders to intensify their drive against cellphone thieves, which resulted in the arrest of three suspects in San Juan over the weekend.

One of those arrested was Ramil Tapar, 20, a laborer of 44 P. Narciso St., Barangay Corazon de Jesus, San Juan. He was arrested after a brief chase by San Juan policemen. – Non Alquitran