Navotas theft gang uses children in robbing fish traders

MANILA, Philippines -  The Navotas City Fish Port Complex security division warned yesterday fish dealers against vagrant kids being utilized by criminal elements in robbing traders within the fish hub compound.

NCFPC security chief Arfil Catipay yesterday said that the group were again able to victimize Thursday Joaquin Sebastian, 65, a fish trader from Nueva Ecija of P20,000 cash.

But alert security personnel arrested the suspects—two girls, 13 and 14, and two boys, 15 and 16—including their alleged “handlers” 37-year-old Allan Tremocha and Rick-Rick Atienza, 20, all of a squatters’ colony near the fish port complex.

Sebastian’s money was also recovered.

Catipay said that at around 1:45 a.m., Sebastian sought the assistance of the fish port security personnel claiming that he lost P20,000 to at least four children posing as beggars.

Sebastian said that he was at the fish port market when surrounded and budged by the children begging for fish and some coins, which he was obliged to provide out of compassion.

But moments after the youngsters left, Sebastian found out that his money placed inside his pants pocket was gone.

He immediately sought the help of the security personnel who were able to catch up with the youngsters hurriedly walking with Atienza and Tremocha toward a squatters’ colony in the area.

The guards invited the six suspects to the NCFPC security division office where Sebastian identified the children as those who begged for fish and coins from him.

When female guard Roche Deodato frisked one of the girls, she found a bundle of P20,000 cash hidden in her underwear.

The youngsters were turned over to the custody of the local social welfare personnel while Atienza and Tremocha were charged with robbery.

Catipay said that Tremocha is allegedly a member of a local robbery gang preying on fish traders inside the fish port complex.