6 of 9 FX taxi rob gang members freed

Just in time for the holidays?

Six of the nine “UV Tirador” or FX/AUV taxi robbery gang members arrested by the police in October are now out on bail.

In a recent phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chief Inspector Ferjen Torred, head of the Parañaque police intelligence unit, said that only the group’s three “leaders” or “masterminds” remained in the custody of the police.

Several members of the gang which preyed on passengers of FX/AUV taxis were arrested at a police checkpoint on Oct. 6 in Parañaque City. Seized from them were stolen wallets, cell phones and firearms, prompting authorities to conduct follow-up operations which led to the arrest of six others.

The 10 were identified as Princess Losa, Red Marlon Guarino, Ritchie Cahinta, Ludy Dagupioso, Almario Rentillosa, Luiz Bondoc, Ronelyn Consorte, Jonalyn Sarmiento, Janice Brillatica and Arvin Manal.

Torred said one of the women was later released after it was proven that she had nothing to do with the group although he did not identify her.

Following their capture, the nine were positively identified by at least 50 of their victims who subsequently filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and robbery against them.

Torred explained that six of the nine suspects were released after they posted bail ranging from P60,000 to P100,000.

Cahinta, who was found to be in possession of a grenade when he was arrested, remains detained at Parañaque City Jail. He was also tagged as one of the suspects in the killing of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s aide, Alister Quintos, in May.

On the other hand, Rentillosa is in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation after he expressed interest in turning state witness in connection with the Quintos case.

Bondoc, or Rosendo Bondok Chavez, also remains at the Parañaque police detention cell after he was found to be wanted in Davao for multiple criminal cases.

Torred, meanwhile, said that those out on bail have not gone into hiding as they continue to attend the court hearings on their case. “They have to because if they fail to show up, arrest warrants will be put out for them and they will go back to jail,” he added.