Police arrest suspect in taxi robbery of JV Ejercito aides

MANILA, Philippines–Police have arrested the suspected gunman who shot and robbed the staff members of Senator JV Ejercito inside a taxi at a busy intersection in Manila.

Emil Joseph Dianela, 22, vendor, of Pedro Gil Street in Paco, was arrested on Monday night in a follow-up operation of the Ermita Police Station, Superintendent Romeo Macapaz‎, the station commander, told INQUIRER.net by the phone on Tuesday.

Last Wednesday, Kathleen Mary Ann Tan, 47, and her fellow Senate employees were in a Leonidas taxi (UWE 859) around 8 p.m. when the suspect opened the cab’s left door at the intersection of Quirino Avenue and Benitez Street.

The suspect, who was wearing shorts and a yellow shirt, then shot Tan on the left leg and grabbed her bag containing her cell phone and P500 in cash.

The gunman also took the mobile phone of one of Tan’s companion before he fled on foot.

Following the incident, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered a manhunt for the robber.

In a Twitter post, Ejercito, son of Estrada, ‎confirmed the arrest and thanked the Manila Police District for the “swift action.”

“Suspect who shot my staff last week was caught by Manila Police District operatives yesterday. Thank you for the swift action!”
Manila Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, meanwhile, lauded the Manila Police District and its newly appointed district director, Sen‎ior Superintendent Rolando Nana, for netting lawless elements in the city.

Domagoso noted ‎that since Nana took over, the MPD was able to bring down crime rates in the city.

“Hopefully ganyan kabilis ang aksyon not just in this particular case but to all pending criminal case as well,” he added.

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