13 alleged rob gang members nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Thirteen members of an alleged robbery group were arrested in Malabon and Caloocan City Friday afternoon.

In a report submitted to the Northern Police District, officer-in-charge Inspector Marissa Santos of the Malabon City police said the suspects were arrested following a tip on their whereabouts.

Santos said the group was believed to be behind a robbery earlier that day along Manape street in Barangay Tañong.

Acting on the tip, Santos said police officers were dispatched at past 4 p.m. to Barangay Potrero, where they chanced upon a group of men who ran off upon seeing them.

Following a brief chase, six men – Michael Sadio, Dante Sabijon, Darel Sabijon, Jaypee Aguallo, Jefferson Velarde, and Michael Ablaza – were arrested and brought to the station.

Recovered from them were several unlicensed firearms and plastic sachets containing what police believe to be shabu.

According to Santos, a followup operation was conducted in Morning Breeze, Caloocan City after police gathered information from the arrested suspects. She said seven other suspects – identified as Nestor Matchuga, Randy Pomida, Alex Villa, Allan Yumul, Gerald Doctor, Jimbo Malit, and Joselito Pagulayan Jr. – were arrested in the followup operation.

Suspected illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms were also recovered from the 13 men, Santos said. Drug and gun charges will be filed against the suspects, she added.