Raps readied vs 3 cops in P1-M heist

MANILA, Philippines - The “full force of the law” will be applied to three Pasay City policemen accused of helping rob a travel agency messenger of P1 million last week, an official said yesterday.

“They are now being charged criminally and administratively. The full force of the law will be applied against them,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said.

Police Officers 1 Ronald Villanueva and Alas Soliman are in the custody of the Pasay City police administrative holding office while Police Officer 2 Mark Manguera remains at large.

Valmoria said the pre-charge investigation against the three  policemen is ongoing, while the Pasay City police has filed robbery charges against them.

He issued a statement following a declaration by Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. that the three policemen would be thoroughly investigated and punished severely if found guilty of the charges against them.

Alexander Pantoja and Lemuel Camposagrado were arrested following the robbery. Camposagrado yielded a 9mm Glock 17 pistol that was issued to Villanueva.

Villanueva was arrested at his home, where P349,000 of the stolen money was found, in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

Investigators said Villanueva, Soliman, Manguera and a certain Arnel, a civilian who is also at large, were the ones who rode the motorcycles when they reportedly robbed the messenger.

A surveillance camera showed the six men outside Manguera’s house in Manila, where investigators believed they divided the loot.