Cops nab 8 criminals in Mandaluyong City

The Mandaluyong City police rounded up eight suspected criminals, including the 16th most wanted person in the city, during an intensified anti-crime drive over the weekend.

This brought to 25 the number of people arrested since Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., directed the local police last week to reduce the city’s crime rate to attract local and foreign investors.

Senior Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala, Mandaluyong City police chief said 18 of those arrested were either caught in the act of sniffing or pushing shabu, three for estafa cases, two for illegal gambling, and one each for perjury and attempted homicide.

"We are hoping that our renewed anti-crime drive would make Mandaluyong an investor-friendly city as envisioned by Mayor Abalos," said Ikbala expressing confidence that they can achieve their target due to the close cooperation of barangay officials.

Among those caught sniffing shabu was Jordanian national Mohammad famil Ensufian, 57, a resident of 2908 Citadel Condominium, Makati City. Ensufian was arrested along with Carlos Santos, 24; Aristotle Espiritu, 27, and Benjamin Laurente, 40, while at the height of a pot session at a house in 83 Coronado St., Barangay Hulo at 11:30 p.m. last Saturday.

Ikabala said Jeffrey Datuon, 27, and residing at 466 Star St., was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Maria Cancino-Erum of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 210 for drug pushing.Datuon, said Ikbala was the 16th most wanted person in the city for year 2002.

Arrested for estafa cases were James Ben Jerusalem for 66 counts and Aurea Aquino and Eddie Tabunag; Roger Reyes and Hilario Gamali for illegal gambling; Rogelio Alivar for perjury and Jaypol Seria for attempted homicide.

Ikbala said that all their anti-drug operations was launched in close coordination with the newly-formed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Earlier, Abalos ordered Ikbala to neutralize some 200 drug pushers and users in 11 of the city’s 27 barangays after reports reaching the mayor noted that majority of the crimes occuring in Mandaluyong City last year were done by persons "under the influence of drugs.’ – Non Alquitran