Police bust gang targeting LBC branches

Charges were filed Monday against four suspected robbery gang members believed to be behind several heists targeting LBC branches in Metro Manila.

Glen Tolentino, Erikson Javier, Marbell Villaliza and Johnny Bulawan were accused of violating Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act, following their arrest in Parañaque City on Saturday.

The Parañaque police tagged the group in several armed robberies not only in the city but in other parts of southern Metro Manila, including 17 LBC branches.

In September 2013, an LBC branch in Parañaque City lost around P10,000 to two robbers armed with .38-cal. pistols who escaped on a motorcycle. This was the third time holdup men had targeted the cargo and courier services firm.

Parañaque City police chief Senior Supt. Ariel Andrade said the suspects were arrested on Saturday before they could rob LBC branches in Baclaran and on F.B. Harrison Street in Pasay City. Seized from the group were three guns, two grenades and two motorcycles.

The gang members were positively identified by some of their victims, including LBC personnel.

Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez said in a statement that authorities would continue efforts to reduce crimes in the city.

“We have intensified our efforts against criminals and criminal gangs although I can proudly say that our city has [one of the lowest] criminality rates in the entire Metro Manila, mainly because of our active police visibility and [the] full cooperation [of] our force multipliers like barangay (village) watchmen and, most importantly, our ordinary citizens,” he added.–Maricar B. Brizuela