Manhunt on for Malabon 'trikejackers'

MANILA, Philippines - The Malabon police are tracking down a gang whose members pose as passengers and hijacks tricycles to use for their criminal activities in other parts of the city.

The latest victim of these “trikejackers” is tricycle driver Janus Alaban, 40, a resident of Barangay Catmon. A police report said Alaban was driving his Kawasaki tricycle when four men posing as passengers asked to be taken to Barangay Maysilo.

Upon reaching a bridge one of the men pulled a knife and told the driver to stop. When Alaban resisted, he was stabbed in the chest and left on the road, and the gang took his tricycle.

Police reports said the suspects might use the tricycle in carrying out their criminal activities in other areas.

Last week the Malabon police arrested armed robbery suspects riding three to a motorcycle. Chief Inspector Realito Esperida, Malabon police station investigation and detection chief, identified the suspects as Michael Contense, Jamar menardo and Bonifacio Baldenero, all residents of Barangay Longos.

Police seized .30 caliber revolvers and two .22 caliber revolvers and several bullets. “The suspects are members of a robbery group responsible in the series of bag snatching and armed robberies,” Esperida said.

Police investigators found out that the motorcycle used by the suspects was part of a tricycle, and its sidecar had been removed.