2 Caloocan hijacking suspects arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Two alleged cohorts of at least 10 “policemen” who hijacked Tuesday a 10-wheeler cargo truck loaded with P1 million worth of grocery items in Caloocan City were arrested Thursday in Tondo, Manila.

Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, Caloocan City police acting chief, identified the suspects as Rolando Zuñiga, 52, and Jesus Maru, 55, both drivers by profession.

Police recovered from the suspects two six-wheeler delivery vans. One van (RCU-293) is registered to Arsenio Baldazo of Nueva Ecija and the other (WPJ-350) to Petronio and Iluminada Mayuyo of Tondo, Manila. The vans were reportedly used in transporting the goods that the group had stolen.

Zuñiga and Maru were charged with highway robbery before the office of Caloocan City assistant prosecutor Rowena Alejandria.

The hijackers brought the 10-wheeler cargo truck which contained the grocery items to Moriones Parking Services on Moriones street, Tondo without knowing that helper Joseph Pabilano was sleeping inside.

Pabilano, who suspected something was wrong with their delivery truck, cooperated with the hijackers’ cohorts and even helped them transfer the stolen items to their two delivery vans.

After the goods were transferred, the hijackers left, abandoning Pabilano and the empty cargo truck. Pabilano reported the incident and his whereabouts to his boss, Jason Bartolome.

During a follow-up operation, police found the vans parked along Zaragosa street in Tondo. They staked out the area and arrested Zuñiga and Maru.

“The suspects executed their plan well, but we are now closing in on them. We already have a very good lead in this particular case,” Quibuyen told The STAR yesterday.   – Pete Laude