Elusive Ipit-Ipit Gang foiled in QC

Police visibility and citizen initiative led to the arrest of 11 suspected members of Ipit-Ipit Gang in Quezon City last Friday, foiling an attempt by the elusive group to divest bus passengers of their belongings during a rush-hour ride.

Detained at the Central Police District-Station 9 in Anonas were Eddie Mendoza, 29; Junie Forcadilla, 37; Robilio Lacerna, 24; Joel Moya, 24; Joel Asia, 23; Rommel Padua, 32; Edwin Sakay, 32; Billy Mendoza, 18; Joseph Conejos, 32; Roberta Candilada, 29; and Aldrin Aldiano, 29, all native of Leyte and residents of Sitio 1, Batasan Hills, Filinvest, QC.

They were charged with theft before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Bail of P10,000 each has been recommended.

Investigation conducted by Police Officer 2 Julius Javier showed that the suspects, on board Ma-Fel passenger bus bound for Fairview, were apprehended about 6:30 p.m. along Commonwealth Ave. near Philcoa.

Reports revealed that the suspects, posed as passengers, placing themselves in strategic positions inside the jam-packed bus.

Senior Police Officer 3 Benjamin Icaro said the modus operandi of the Ipit-Ipit Gang was to have one member intentionally shove and squeeze prospective victims while another snatches their valuables. The group, Icaro disclosed, usually operate during rush hour, both in the morning and late afternoon.

During the heist, one of the victims fell to the floor and shouted for help, resulting in a brief commotion that caught the attention of PO3 Armando Rivera.

Other passengers quickly responded and helped block the bus’ doors to prevent the robbers from escaping .

Seized from the suspects were two cellular phones and a wallet, containing P300, which belonged to victims Venus Daguis; Omayra Sultan, 25, of Barangay Old Capitol, and Virgilio Camacho, 43, of Barangay San Vicente, respectively.

But according to Icaro, only three of the 11 suspects might remain in jail because the other victim, Domingo Baguatan, 29, of Malanday, Valenzuela, failed to show up during the inquest yesterday morning.

He explained that Eddie Mendoza, Forcadilla, and Lacerna were the only ones positively identified by the complainants so the eight other suspects might be released soon upon the approval of the Prosecutor’s Office.

Icaro said Baguatan had fallen victim to the Ipit-Ipit Gang Friday morning, also aboard a bus bound for Fairview. Later in the afternoon, he was riding the bus that was robbed near Philcoa.

"Maybe he was trying to look for the suspects who victimized him that morning," Icaro said.