Police capture suspected thieves at North Cemetery

MANILA, Philippines - Combined operatives of the Manila and Quezon City police districts have rounded up 27 suspected criminals in a saturation drive inside the North Cemetery in an effort to flush out undesirable individuals reportedly hiding in the area, police said yesterday.

“Robbers and snatchers would often seek refuge inside the cemetery to escape arrest. We conducted a joint saturation drive with La Loma police station chief Superintendent Carlito Feliciano to be able to seal off all exit gates in the cemetery,” Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut said.

The arrested persons will be subjected to records verification to determine if they have standing criminal offenses. Yabut called on robbery victims, especially those who were victimized along the North Cemetery, to come to the police station to identify the suspects.

During the raid, two suspected henchmen of a dreaded drug pusher, a certain “Boy Isang,” were also arrested after a brief chase. Recovered from the suspects were several sachets of suspected shabu and two stolen motorcycles. Boy Isang reportedly managed to elude arrest.

The North Cemetery serves as haven for criminals and their nefarious activities. Squatter residents have already invaded the cemetery and criminals would oftentimes use the graves and tombs as their hiding places, Yabut said.

Recently, North Cemetery administrator Peter Tamondong turned over to Yabut two suspected drug pushers operating inside the cemetery.