Metrobriefs

Robbers pick on Lacson’s wife

MANILA, Philippines–Four men were arrested in a follow-up police operation after the wife of Sen. Ping Lacson in Divisoria, Manila, reported the theft of her diamond earring on Monday. According to the police report, they picked up Benjamin Cabrera, Ronald Pallega and Marvin Antonio for robbery and Sherlon Eguez, the supposed buyer of the earring, for violating the antifencing law. Police said that Alice Lacson got off her vehicle to look at sweet potatoes being sold at the corner of Carmen Planas and Claro M. Recto Avenue but snatchers grabbed her gold diamond earring. Lacson went to the Asuncion Police Community Precinct to file a complaint, leading to the conduct of a follow-up operation. Erika Sauler

Cop killed, wife hurt in ambush

MANILA, Philippines–A policeman was killed and his wife was injured after they were attacked by two unidentified men on a motorcycle on Wednesday in Mandaluyong City. Insp. Herculano Mago, Mandaluyong police investigation chief, identified the victims as Chief Insp. Elmer Santiago and his wife Agnes. The couple were in their car which was passing through Talumpong Street in Barangay Malamig before 11 a.m. when they were ambushed by two  men on a motorcycle.  They were rushed to a nearby hospital where Santiago was declared dead on arrival. His wife, on the other hand, has been declared out of danger. According to case investigator PO2 Jay Segui, Santiago was assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit of the Central Luzon police where he was on floating status. Kristine Felisse Mangunay

2 cell phone thieves arrested

MANILA, Philippines–A 26-year old nurse’s pursuit on Tuesday night of four robbers who took his mobile phone resulted in the arrest of two of the suspects in Quezon City. Jordan Marasigan, of Tondo in Manila, did not get back his P35,000 phone but his tenacity resulted in the arrest of Renante Pambuena, 31; and Edison Bolina, 28, both of Barangay Batasan Hills, and the recovery of two cell phones believed to have been stolen from other victims. The two other robbers were able to escape with Marasigan’s cell phone. PO2 Julius Ceasar Balbuena of the  Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the incident happened at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday on Commonwealth Avenue. Marasigan and a female companion were about to ride a Quiapo-bound passenger jeepney when four men, two of whom were later identified as Pambuena and Bolina, took their phones. He ran after them, attracting the attention of barangay watchmen. Jeannette I. Andrade