Brains in mugging of APEC cop falls

MANILA, Philippines - A man who allegedly masterminded the attack on a policewoman while on her way to join the security dry run for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila last week was arrested on Monday.

Richard Ruiz, alias Kenneth, was nabbed in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo at around 4:30 p.m., Manila Police District Station 1 commander Superintendent Redentor Ulsano said.

Police Officer 1 Jinky Monsanto’s issued firearm – a Glock pistol – was recovered from Ruiz, Ulsano said.

Monsanto, a member of the Northern Police District, was stuck in traffic on a motorcycle along Road 10 in Barangay Capulong, Tondo when Ruiz and his four cohorts attacked her with a knife on Saturday.

The suspects stabbed Monsanto in the shoulder then took her bag containing P8,000, mobile phone and service firearm before fleeing.

Monsanto reported the incident to the Don Bosco police community precinct, where she was able to identify one of her assailants from the rogues’ gallery.

Three of Ruiz cohorts – Mark Emil Nicol, Marvin Austria and Christoper Sadagara – were arrested earlier.