1 killed as cops stop robbery gang targeting Indians

The police on Friday killed a robbery suspect and arrested three others in an operation against a gang composed of men in their 20s and who had allegedly preyed on Indian nationals.

Joemark dela Serna, 25, was shot dead, one of his alleged cohorts was wounded, while two more gang members were captured by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Quezon City in Barangay Palanan, Makati City.

The Makati police said the group had just taken P54,300 in cash from Raj Bring, an Indian money lender, when they encountered the CIDG-QC team around 11:30 a.m. at the corner Enrique and Filmore streets.

Earlier that morning, Dela Serna and his cohorts robbed another Indian national in Pasay City, according to the case investigator, SPO2 Ador Robles

Senior Supt. Jerry Umayao, the Makati police chief, said they were also facing a complaint filed by another victim, Ras Bring, a 57-year-old Indian national residing in Sta. Ana, Manila.

The wounded suspect was identified as Jawee Mike Santos, 25, who was shot in the back and was brought to Ospital ng Makati for treatment. Also arrested were Rodolfo dela Cruz, 25, and Edmundo Sarmiento, 23.

The CIDG-QC operation was led by Chief Insp. Garman Manabat.