Five men who had just held up the passengers of a Manila-bound jeepney were arrested shortly after midnight Monday in Quezon City after patrolling policemen heard their victims’ shouts for help.
A sixth cohort, however, was able to escape.
The police identified those arrested as Jericho Huganas, 25; Ronnie Reyes, 27; Rocky Timonera, 31; Rey Llave, 35 and Cesar Ambion, 26.
Superintendent Norberto Babagay of the Galas police station said that the five were positively identified by their victims as among the six men who robbed them in a jeepney bound for Quiapo.
The heist happened at around 12:30 a.m. at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Araneta Avenue in Barangay Sto. Domingo, Quezon City.
Roel Baterna, 22; Marilyn Sierra, 35; David Alunan, 23 and Princess Lyka Escombo said that they were in a jeepney with the six men when, without any warning, the suspects pulled out knives and demanded that they hand over their belongings.
The six men then jumped off the jeepney and walked toward the direction of Barangay Tatalon.
However, barangay watchmen who were on patrol noticed the commotion and one of them firing a warning shot, prompting the robbers to run.
In the meantime, the jeepney passengers’ shouts for help attracted the attention of policemen in a patrol car who went after the six men.
Recovered from the five who were arrested were the victims’ bags and other valuables.