MANILA, Philippines -- Four alleged members of a robbery gang were arrested in Quezon City after leading police in a brief car chase Sunday night.

Arvin Pineda, 27, Renato Badando, 33, Jaymar Riparip, 28, and Agustin Calicdan, 39, all from Rodriguez town in Rizal province, who were presented to media by police on Monday, were arrested around 8:30 p.m. Sunday near Congressional Avenue.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Geary Barias said the suspects were arrested by joint operatives of the Quezon City Police District anti-carnapping unit led by Police Inspector Angelo Nicolas and the District Mobile Force (DMF) led by Senior Superintendent Neri Ilagan, who had received reports of a group of armed men on board a taxi.

The chase ensued when the four evaded a checkpoint on Mindanao Avenue.

Seized from the suspects were a hand grenade, two .38-caliber revolvers, and four T-shirts marked DPOS (Department of Public Order and Safety) Security.

“These are not ordinary [members of crime] syndicates. As you can see, their intention is really to harm their victims,” Barias said.

Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, QCPD officer-in-charge, said the modus operandi of the group is to pretend to be security guards to gain access to subdivisions and villages.

The four are also allegedly members of a robbery group that victimizes taxi passengers and cargo trucks.

Charges of robbery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against the suspects, Barias said.

Gatdula urged Quezon City residents to be “extra vigilant” against robbers, particularly gangs that break into houses, the so-called “akyat-bahay,” especially with the approach of the holiday season.