Cops nab robber after two-year manhunt

After more than two years in hiding, an alleged member of a robbery gang operating in the northern part of Metro Manila was finally arrested Friday in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Reynaldo Orante, chief of the Nothern Police District (NPD) intelligence unit, identified the suspect as Jonathan Salih, 18, of Pama-Sawata Compound, Barangay 28, C-3 Road, Caloocan City.

Judge Emmanuel Laurea of the Malabon City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest against the suspect who was charged with robbery with physical injuries in 2005.

Orante said that Salih and another gang member identified as Jason Gamores robbed the victim, Florencia Illustrisimo, in Malabon City on Feb. 5, 2005,

The suspects hacked the victim when she resisted. She was hit in the forehead and was hospitalized.

The robbers fled after takingng the victim’s bag containing cash, mobile phone and important documents.

Illustrisimo survived the attack and was able to identify the perpetrators, Orante said.

A manhunt was conducted against Salih and his group but the suspects often evade arrest by taking refuge inside the squatters’ area on Pama-Sawata street.

NPD-District Police Intelligence Unit operatives, led by Senior Police Officers 4 Antonio Tenorio and Pancho Labrador, and SPO2 Henry Martin, arrested the suspect after he was spotted by an informer in his house in Caloocan.

Salih surrendered peacefully when cornered by the cops.

Orante said that Salih would be turned over to the Malabon City Jail. – Pete Laude