Gang boss in UV Express robberies arrested anew

MANILA, Philippines—The alleged leader of a robbery group preying on commuters was arrested for the second time, with the police now hoping that he won’t be granted bail.

Crisanto Maguddatu was on his way to attend his trial for multiple robberies at Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 39 when a Pasig City police team served him a new arrest warrant on Thursday.

The warrant came from Judge Nicanor Manalo Jr. of Pasig RTC Branch 161, who is handling another set of robbery charges against Maguddatu.

As the suspect remained in detention on Friday, the Pasig police learned that a third warrant had been issued against him, this time by Judge Lucky Seguerra of Pasig RTC Branch 268.

According to Eastern Police District assistant spokesperson PO2 Catherine Capinpin, Maguddatu led an armed group that victimized UV Express riders, particularly early-morning commuters like call center agents.

Robberies attributed to the gang over the last two years were reported in Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong City and lately in Pasay City, Capinpin said.

Maguddatu was first arrested on Nov. 29, 2014, at his house in Marulas, Valenzuela City, in connection with the Manila RTC cases being heard by Judge Noli Diaz.

He managed to post bail a month later.

Around 9:20 a.m. on Thursday, Maguddatu was at Manila City Hall on his way to a hearing in Diaz’s court when the Pasig police served the warrant issued by Manalo.

The arresting team was led by Chief Insp. Allan Miparanum, who said Maguddatu had been tagged in at least 20 robberies in Manila in 2013, mostly in the Quiapo area.

The more recent warrants issued by Manalo and Seguerra were for robberies in Pasig, Miparanum said.

Capinpin stressed that as cases pile up in different courts against Maguddatu, a “recidivist” like him should not be granted bail.

Philippine Daily Inquirer