NPD checkpoints net 17 motorcycles

The Northern Police District (NPD), alarmed by the surge of robberies perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men, intensified its checkpoints in Camanava area resulting in the seizure of 17 motorcycles without license plates and questionable documents.

Two armed robbery suspects were also arrested in the process.

NPD director Chief Superintendent Noe Wong said he had given specific instructions to the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) police to keep their eyes open for men riding in tandem on motorcycle.

Wong ordered his four police chiefs to augment checkpoints on major thoroughfares in the northern part of Metro Manila and on critical streets, which criminal elements may exploit in their illegal activities.

The drive netted motorcycle-riding robbery suspects Arnel Cuevas, 30, and Brando Calderon, 30, in a Sangandaan checkpoint in Caloocan City last Friday.

Police seized from them a bladed weapon and an assault pistol with two magazines loaded with 13 bullets.

"Most of robbery cases in Camanava, or at least 70 percent of them, were committed by men riding on motorcycles," Wong pointed out.

He said that the weeklong coordinated efforts by the NPD operatives and the Northern District Traffic Management Group (NDTEG), under Superintendent Rodolfo Salvador, resulted in the seizure of 17 motorcycles traveling without license plates and with questionable documents.

The motorcycles are now impounded at the NPD-District Police Intelligence Unit compound on Langaray street in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City.

Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr., DPIU chief, said that background checks are now being conducted on the owners.

"The motorcycles would be released once we finish our investigation and if claimants can present proper documents," Ramos said.

He also said that the campaign is continuous in Camanava and would include other types of vehicles.