Metro cop nabbed over P2-M highway robbery

MANILA, Philippines—A police officer who allegedly hijacked a truck carrying around P2 million worth of consumer goods was arrested Monday afternoon, the Highway Patrol Group said.
Police Officer 2 Amiel Arceo of the National Capital Region Police Office was arrested near his home in Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan City at around 5 p.m., HPG spokesman Superintendent Edwin Butacan said.

He said that Arceo, another police officer and several civilian cohorts hijacked the delivery truck near the Manggahan Floodway in Pasig City last June 8.

On board a private motorcycle, Arceo and the other policeman, whose name was withheld as he was still being pursued by authorities, flagged down the vehicle despite a lack of any traffic violation, said Butacan. Both were in their uniforms when they carried out the crime, he said.

The officer’s cohorts blindfolded the driver and workers and forced them into a Honda Civic, said Butacan. While some of the suspects drove off with the truck, some of them dropped off the victims in Dasmariñas, Cavite, he added.
The two officers were positively identified by the driver and workers of the truck the group victimized.

Butacan said authorities were looking into possible links the group had with the notorious Ching Gaza hijacking group, known to operate in Metro Manila as well as in Regions III and IV.

Butacan said that charges for violation of Presidential Decree 532 or highway robbery were filed in the Makati Regional Trial Court and an arrest warrant was subsequently issued, but the suspects were able to pay the bail of P200,000.

Another case for violation of Section 14 of Republic Act 6539 or Anti-carnapping law of 1972 was filed in the Pasig Regional Trial Court. An arrest warrant was issued and the suspects did not pay the P300,000 bail.

Arceo was earlier caught for not wearing a helmet two weeks ago, but the officers were not aware an arrest order had been issued against him, he added.