Cagayanon rob gang member nabbed

The Manila Police District (MPD) has arrested a convicted robber, a member of the notorious Cagayanon robbery gang, who had been in hiding for the past two years.

The arrest of Christopher Gonzales, 28, is a major breakthrough in the police’s campaign against robbery gangs since “we can squeeze vital information from him on the whereabouts and activities of his group,” MPD’s intelligence chief Superintendent Leo Francisco said.

The Cagayanon group is responsible for a series of heists involving Chinese-Filipino traders in Manila, Francisco added.

Gonzales was convicted in absentia on drug charges two years ago and has also served time for robbery, said Special Task Group (STG) head and ground commander of the arresting team Chief Inspector Rene de Jesus.

Gonzales is also the subject of several arrest warrants on three drug charges, robbery, and two counts of theft, all from Manila courts, De Jesus said.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales tasked De Jesus and his men to arrest Gonzales after receiving a tip that he was frequently seen in Tondo.

STG operatives SPOs3 Joji Marcelo and Domingo Alagde, SPO2 Artemio Santillan Jr., PO3 Joselito Villorente and PO1 Ariel Aguilar took turns casing Gonzales’ whereabouts until he was finally captured Wednesday afternoon in Tondo. The suspect gave up without a fight. – Nestor Etolle