Police nab IPU robber

Police have arrested one of two men who held up a Belgian delegate to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) general assembly in Pasay City last Tuesday.

Victorio Mallari, 24 was nabbed near his house on Decena street in Pasay City at around 11 p.m. the other night, some 18 hours after he and his cohort, robbed George Brion, deputy secretary general of the Belgian parliament.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said Brion positively identified Mallari as the tricycle driver who took his wallet at knifepoint at dawn last Tuesday.

"This case is considered solved, but we will not stop until we get the other suspect," Razon said.

Last Tuesday, Brion left his hotel at 5:45 a.m. and rode a tricycle to get to the San Rafael Church. Mallari, who was driving the tricycle, instead took him to a sidestreet, where his accomplice was waiting.

The two then forcibly took the foreigner’s wallet at knifepoint. Brion was hurt when he tried to resist.

After he was abandoned by the robbers, another tricycle driver saw the Belgian and took him to the San Juan de Dios Hospital,

Brion lost P4,000 and $60 in cash, credit cards and personal documents. He has continued attending the 112th IPU assembly at the PICC after treatment for cuts on the hand and forehead.

Mallari, a confessed drug user and a member of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik Gang, said the money and credit cards were with his partner, identified only as Jess.

Police said Mallari’s arrest came after an asset informed police that the suspect was overheard bragging that he had held up a foreigner at knifepoint. The other night, a saturation drive at tricycle stations near the area was conducted. Fifteen tricycle drivers were presented in a lineup, but Brion said those who robbed him were not among them.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao and Task Force Parliament chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco presented Mallari to the reporters yesterday during which the suspect recalled how he and Jess robbed Brion.

"Pumapasada ako ng tricyle nang nilapitan ako ni Jess at sinabi na holdapin namin yung puti dahil marami raw pera yun. Hindi naman ako nakatutol," Mallari said.

He said they picked up the foreigner near the Traders’ Hotel along Roxas Boulevard.

When they announced the robbery, Mallari said Brion tried to put up a fight, prompting Jess to hit the foreigner.

Mallari pointed out that he did not get a share of the loot because Jess suddenly jumped off his tricycle. He has not seen him since.

Lomibao ordered the Pasay police to identify, arrest and charge the other suspect, who is also a member of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik Gang.