Sta. Cruz police chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula said Macaraeg was nabbed early Saturday morning after his men spotted the gang members lurking at the corner of Recto Avenue and Matapang street while "about to perpetrate their criminal activities."
Three of the gang members managed to escape but Macaraeg was cornered.
"Some of their victims have expressed their intention to file charges. They will be coming over to the station later," said Sapitula.
Sapitula said a caliber .38 pistol was seized from the young gang leader. His members are reportedly not older than 18 with the youngest estimated to be only 14 years old.
The Diablos Junior members were described as young hoodlums operating in the university belt. Most of their victims are said to be college students.
Meanwhile, the Sta. Cruz police reported the arrest of two men during an anti-illegal drug operation in Quiapo and seized from them 75 grams of shabu worth P150,000.
The two were identified as Antara Saporna, 26, of Quiapo, Manila; and Abdul Sucod, 27, of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.
Sapitula said his men received a tip that a drug trade will be conducted at the corner of Basan and Palanca streets in Quiapo before dawn on Saturday, prompting the deployment of undercover cops in the area.
At about 1:45 a.m., the suspects reportedly showed up aboard a taxi and loitered in the area until another man approached them and handed a small plastic bag.
Sensing that it was the drug trade they were waiting for, police swooped down for the arrest but only the two men who got off from the taxi were nabbed.
Sapitula said the two appeared to be drug couriers shuttling illegal drugs and money between Quiapo and Fairview, Quezon City. The suspects have been charged.