CIDG nabs 10 robbery suspects

Ten suspected robbers were arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) during two separate operations in Caloocan City and Laguna, police officials said yesterday.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Arturo Lomibao lauded his men for the arrest of the suspects who prey on unsuspecting household helpers of middle-income families in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

First to be presented to media yesterday were the suspects involved in the robbery at the residence of Christina Lim and her Japanese husband Nakayama Takayuki at the Pacita Complex in San Pedro, Laguna last Wednesday.

Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez, chief of the CIDG’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Division, said the suspects barged into the victims’ house then hogtied Takayuki and two others with masking tape.

They were made to lie face down as the suspects ransacked the house, taking away two gold necklaces, a Cartier watch, three cellular phones and cash amounting to about P3 million, police said.

Charges were filed against the suspects identified as Joseph Gaite, Benedicto Obosa and Rey Fan.

Meanwhile, the CIDG also ordered the filing of criminal charges against seven robbers arrested last Wednesday during another police operation led by Senior Inspector Jesus Kabigting in Tala, Caloocan City.

Lomibao said the suspects identified as Julio Clotario, Edgardo Calma, Peter Lacbayo, Eugene Compresan, Carlito Grande, Darwin Doroquiz and Samuel Real are now facing charges for illegal possession of firearms, alarm and scandal and obstruction of justice.

The arrests came after Lomibao ordered his men to conduct surveillance operations in the area when he received complaints from local barangay officials that the area was used as a lair by the robbery gang.

Kabigting said another suspect, Eric Anuba, was killed during the same operations after he fought it out with lawmen. Recovered from the suspects were a caliber .357 revolver and a caliber .38 revolver.