Jeepney driver, 3 others linked to Cubao heists nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Four men, including a jeepney driver, suspected to be behind a series of jeepney heists in Cubao and adjacent areas in Quezon City were arrested Monday afternoon.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Elmo San Diego said jeepney driver Roberto Sibug, 40; Cordero Cortez, 32; Angelo Saliendra and Remiro Facundo, both 28, were arrested after they allegedly robbed Joan de Quiros, 32, who boarded Sibug’s jeepney (TVX-144) as it was en route to Cubao at around 4 p.m.

The suspects took De Quiros’ cell phone at knifepoint and then ordered her to get off along Aurora Boulevard near Gilmore street. The victim spotted police officers on patrol and told them about the incident.

SPO2 Arsenio Caraveo, PO3 Jover Agustin and PO2 Rionaldo Sabulaan of QCPD-Station 7 chased Sibug’s jeepney, and the suspects opted to surrender.

Police recovered bladed weapons and the victim’s cell phone from the suspects. The prosecutor charged the four men with robbery and set bail at P100,000 for each of them.

QCPD-Station 7 commander Superintendent Edgardo Pamittan said the suspects’ group is believed to be responsible for previous robberies in Cubao and other parts of Quezon City.

Pamittan said at least 10 other victims have identified the suspects as the same persons who robbed them using Sibug’s jeepney.

“We are calling on other victims of robbery, particularly along Aurora Boulevard to come to the Cubao police station to identify and press charges against the suspects,” Pamittan said in a statement.