3 hijack suspects arrested in Valenzuela, Navotas

MANILA, Philippines - Three alleged hijackers were arrested during police operations in Valenzuela and Navotas Friday afternoon.

Northern Police District (NPD) director Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ladao identified the suspects as Vicente Reteza, 39, and Raymund Banca, both residents of Tondo, Manila; and Armando Mahinay, 28, a resident of Caloocan City.

Two other suspects, Ariel Galledo and one alias Indo, remain at large.

Senior Police Officer 4 Jesus Sagisi said at around 5 p.m., Valenzuela City police chief Senior Superintendent Eric Reyes received instructions from Ladao to intercept a hijacked cargo truck and arrest its occupants.

Ladao said the truck was spotted in Barangay Biente Reales.

A team led by Chief Inspector Danilo Bugay was immediately deployed to the area, where the police chanced upon the cargo truck (RDY-143) parked along C. Santiago street.

The truck’s occupants jumped off the vehicle upon seeing the approaching police car. Reteza was subdued and police seized from him a .38 caliber revolver with three bullets while two others were able to escape, Sagisi said.

When the police checked the cargo truck, they found Mahinay and Sam Ong, a nephew of the truck owner William Lim, inside.

Ong told the police he was about to deliver 1,400 bags of onion worth around P1 million to a client in Binondo, Manila with Banca as driver.

As they drove out of their warehouse on Delpan street in Tondo, at least three men boarded their truck with Banca’s consent, he said.

They then proceeded to Valenzuela City to pick up Mahinay in Barangay Biente Reales. They stopped upon reaching C. Santiago street and Ong was transferred to the cargo area of the truck, where Mahinay guarded him.

The cargo truck was recovered with its cargo still intact, Sagisi said. Banca was arrested in a follow-up operation in Navotas City.

Sagisi said the suspects were charged yesterday with hijacking, highway robbery, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, and serious illegal detention before the Valenzuela City prosecutor’s office.

Ladao directed Reyes yesterday to arrest the two suspects still at large and to identify other members of the group.