Snatchers caught on video arrested

PHOTO BY JULLIANE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

MAN‎ILA, Philippines–The robbers caught in the viral video snatching a cellphone from a group of high school students in Quezon City last week have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives in their Antipolo hideout.

The snatchers, identified as John Ralfh De Guzman and Gilbert Pazcoguin, were nabbed on Saturday afternoon in Cogeo, Antipolo, Police Director Benjamin Magalong, CIDG chief, said in a press briefing on Monday.

As caught by a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera on Scout Lozano in Barangay (village) Laging Handa, Quezon City, De Guzman was seen pinning down a 15-year-old girl as he forcibly took her iPhone 4s while having a conversation with three other girls last Monday, September 22.

De Guzman then ran to Pazcoguin, who served as a lookout, and escaped together on a motorcycle.

Magalong said ‎the motorcycle (with plate number ZM 4752) the suspects boarded were also recovered by the police.

He said Pazcoguin had been involved in the several robbery incidents particularly in Kamuning, Quezon City.

“I hope his (Pazcoguin) other victims would come to us and pursue cases against him para hindi na sila makalabas (so they will never get out of jail),” Magalong added.

Ryan Ronalio, the victim’s father, also thanked the CIDG and maintained that he would pursue the filing of charges against de Guzman and Pazcoguin.

“Definitely, itutuloy namin ‘yung kaso. Naging instrument ang anak ko para wala na silang ma-biktima,” Ronalio said.

(Definitely, we will pursue the case. My daughter became an instrument so they can no longer victimize other people.)

Violations of robbery and child abuse law have been filed against the suspects.

They are currently detained at the National Capital Region office of the CIDG in Camp Crame.

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