10 FX taxi rob gang members nabbed

It’s the end of the road for 10 suspected members of a robbery gang that victimized passengers of FX and AUV taxis plying routes in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan and Cavite.

Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, director of the Southern Police District (SPD), announced Monday the arrest of the 10—four women and six men—as he assured the public that they would continue to go after thieves who prey on commuters in public utility vehicles.

According to him, four of the suspected robbers were initially arrested at a checkpoint in Parañaque City. The others were apprehended in follow-up operations conducted in Rizal province and Quezon City.

At 3 a.m. on Saturday, a police team manning a checkpoint on Evacom Avenue in Parañaque City flagged down a white Mitsubishi Adventure whose license plate (UIZ 786) was smeared with mud.

The driver of the vehicle, however, did not stop and even stepped on the gas, prompting the police to ask for help. The van was later stopped at another checkpoint manned by a second group of policemen and its four occupants were placed under arrest.

They were identified as Princess Losa, Red Marlon Guarino, Ritchie Cahinta and Ludy Dagupioso.

Senior Supt. Billy Beltran, Parañaque police chief, said that when the van was checked, authorities found a pile of wallets and cell phones—believed to be the group’s loot for the day—aside from three guns and two grenades.

During questioning, the four admitted that they were behind several robbery cases involving FX and AUV taxis in several parts of Metro Manila as well as in Antipolo City and Bulacan and Cavite provinces. They said that at times, they would pose as passengers. In some instances, they would pick up passengers in the white Adventure and rob them afterward.

The four later told the police where the other members of their group could be found, leading to a follow-up operation that resulted in the arrest of Almario Rentillosa in his house at the Fourth State Subdivision in Parañaque.

Next to fall was Luiz Bondoc, in the Batasan-Litex area.

In an operation in Antipolo City at 6 p.m. that same day, four more members were picked up as they were sniffing drugs. They were identified as Ronelyn Consorte, Jonalyn Sarmiento, Janice Brillatica and Arvin Manal.

Except for Brillatica, the rest have been positively identified by nine robbery victims who went to the Parañaque police station when they learned of the group’s arrest.

Brillatica, however, remains detained for illegal drug use, Beltran said.