Senior Superintendent Felixberto Castillo, Region 4-A chief of the Traffic Management Group (TMG), said the suspect, Amiel Ilagan, alias Boy Tengo, headed the so-called "Soro-soro Gang," which was involved in a series of gasoline station robberies in Laguna and Batangas.
Castillo said his office had received information that the gang would strike at another gasoline station along the highway in Biñan at around 5 p.m. and that they would be riding in a tricycle.
Ilagan and his two accomplices were on their way to the gas station when TMG operatives attempted to flag down their tricycle.
Instead of stopping, Ilagan’s two cohorts jumped out of the vehicle and fled in different directions. Ilagan also tried to escape but was cornered by the TMG operatives.
During interrogation, Ilagan divulged the gang’s plan to rob the gasoline station and to steal a motorcycle in San Pedro town.
He also owned up to the previous robberies at the postal office and several gas stations.
Aside from robberies, the Soro-soro Gang was also behind several car and motorcycle thefts, and cellular phone snatchings.
The group is also believed involved in the illegal drug trade in Biñan. – Ed Amoroso