MANILA, Philippines – Three suspects involved in several theft and burglary incidents and possibly involved in the carnapping incident recently at the military’s main headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo were arrested in separate operations, the military said on Monday.
The three suspects were identified as Jerry Molina Cawilan (alias Ontong), his brother Daniel Molina, and Norman Garcia, former members of “Bahala Na Gang,” military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said in a statement.
Ontong was arrested last June 28 through an order from the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office having been charged with a separate case. He was also identified for breaking into one of the quarters of a military personnel also inside the said camp, military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said in a statement.
Also on June 28, Daniel was apprehended by combined security forces at Murphy Market, Quezon City and was detained at the PNP Station 7 for illegal possession of ammunition and a bladed weapon. He was also believed to be involved in theft cases with his brother.
Meanwhile, Garcia, Ontong’s accomplice and a known notorious criminal in Murphy and Crame area, was apprehended on June 30 in Camarilla St. in Murphy. He was implicated by “Ontong” as responsible for stealing a Mazda sedan and breaking inside the quarters of Colonel Nelson Chidrome, Burgos said.
Chidrome’s car was found abandoned in Bulacan a few days later after it was stolen.
Joint police and military police units are also following a lead from the three suspects that implicate other members of their group involved in theft and burglary cases inside the camp and surrounding premises. Reports on their contacts inside Camp Aguinaldo were also being investigated, Burgos said.
Military police Commanding Officer Major Garry Pingen said that the military and police are currently acting on the testimony of the three that other members of their group are still at large.
“We are also collecting solid pieces of evidence that will support allegations against this group,” Pingen said.
Brigadier General Remigio De Vera, Camp Commander and Commander of the Headquarters Support Command, called on visitors and residents of Camp Aguinaldo to bear with the security adjustments being implemented inside the camp.
“The security of our soldiers, civilian employees, and our guests inside the camp is our top priority and the adjustments that we are making are also for their utmost benefit,” he said.
Burglary incidents inside the camp prompted the military to tighten its security measures, including checkpoints and foot patrol.
Official reports said that at least 15 military quarters have been burglarized since January this year, carting away cash and wallets, laptop and desktop computers, cameras and phones, among others.