Manila saturation drive nets 100

Police conducted simultaneous saturation drives yesterday in known crime-prone areas in the city, resulting in the apprehension of more than 100 persons with questionable character in Quiapo and Sampaloc districts.

The renewed anti-criminality campaign was in response to the directive of Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol for the police to sustain their drive against street crimes following the dissipation of threats from extremists out to overthrow the government, according to Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong.

Among those apprehended were three wanted criminals with warrants of arrest. Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz identified the suspects as Pablo Fernandez, 47, who is facing 12 criminal charges; Ardie Calip, a notorious robber; and Delfin Marquez, 43, who is wanted for murder.

In separate operations in Vietnam, Basan and the Islamic Center in Quiapo early morning yesterday, operatives of the Sta. Cruz police station led by Superintendent Romulo Sapitula rounded up some 101 persons with questionable characters.

The three areas were notoriously known as haven for wanted criminals and have been the site of successive killings in the past, police records showed.

Seventy four persons were subsequently released to their relatives and barangay officials after showing pertinent identification papers and after their respective barangay officials vouched for their good character.

Twenty seven others with tattoos on their bodies and verified as members of several street gangs were held for record verification.

Sapitula said more saturation drives on known crime spots are being planned in the next few days to flush out criminals hiding their identities among the peace-loving residents.