‘Basag-kotse’ robber arrested in UP Diliman campus

The UP Oblation at the entrance of Diliman campus. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Security personnel of University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City have arrested a “basag-kotse” robber inside the campus on Wednesday.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr. identified the suspect as 30-year-old Roel Calso, a resident of Blk. 6 Ipit-Ipit Kaingin 1, Brgy. Pansol, Quezon City.

According to a QCPD report, victim Algerich Chua, 48, physician, had parked his metallic green Toyota Innova along Agoncillo Street inside UP Diliman as he went for a jog with his wife last January 2.

Police said the suspect possibly carried out the crime around 11 a.m., smashing the rear right passenger window of the vehicle and stole several of the couple’s belongings.

The stolen items include a gray sling bag with cash amounting to P12,000, an iPhone 8 worth P55,000, a driver’s license, a stethoscope, credit cards, ATM Cards, a gift certificate worth P1,200, gate remote worth P3,600, a bunch of keys, eye glasses, and a make-up kit.

Guard-on-duty Romualdo Torculas said he saw the crime and chased Calso, tried to escape by running towards a shanty at Pook Dagohoy located inside the UP Diliman campus.

Other security personnel from the UP Police Department eventually joined the chase and cornered the suspect.

Calso has since been turned over to QCPD’s Anonas Station for proper investigation and case-filing.  /kga