Rob gang boss, 7 others arrested in pot session

MANILA, Philippines - A former policeman, said to be the leader of a robbery group, and seven others were arrested in a pot session in Pasig City Monday.

Arrested were Rhandy Marcellano, the alleged leader of “Gapos Gang,” who is wanted for robbery; his brother Roderick; Rolando Baltazar and his wife, Rhoda; Jessie Malicdem; Edgar Giangan; Enrico Espinosa, and Myrna Mulauan.

Marcellano had been in hiding since 2007, Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Abelardo Villacorta said.

Police had placed the members of the gang under surveillance following reports that they were behind the spate of robberies in Pasig and neighboring cities.

“This group has been operating since 1999 in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, victimizing houses whose owners are away or in their workplace,” Villacorta said.

He said members of the group usually strike between noon and 5 p.m.

Villacorta said members of the EPD’s intelligence division and special reaction unit, armed with a search warrant issued by the Pasig City regional trial court, swooped down on the suspects’ lair on Col. Liksi street, Barangay Caniogan at around 5 p.m.

He said the suspects were engaged in a pot session when the raiders barged into the house.

Confiscated from the suspects were shabu worth P150,000, a grenade, a bolt cutter, four live bullets, replicas for a .45-caliber pistol and M16 Armalite rifle, a .38-caliber revolver and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects were detained at the EPD detention cell on charges of robbery, homicide, estafa and possession and use of illegal drugs.