DOJ indicts members of taxi rob gang

19 October 2012

The Department has recommended the filing of criminal charges against members of a robbery gang preying on passengers of UV-GT Express cars plying Metro Manila area.

In an inquest resolution dated 9 October 2012 submitted by ASP Nieven Canlapan to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, the respondents who stand charged for the seven (7) informations filed before the Paranaque City, Quezon City and Antipolo City courts are: Ludy Dagiupioso, Red Marlon Guarino, Ritchie Cajinta, Luis Bondoc, AlmarioRentiliosa, A r v i n Manal, Jonalyn Sarmiento and Janice Brillatic. All of the arrested suspects have respective aliases. They are to face charges for: Violation of P D 1866, as amended by R A 8294 (illegal possession of firearms), Violation of PD 1612, Violation of R A 9165, and Robbery as defined and penalized under Art.296 of the RPC.

"Credence can be given weight to the statements of the arresting officers who personally witnessed the search as well as possession of the respondents of said illegal firearms, ammunitions and explosives. Possession of tampered firearms and respondents' failure to explain their right to possess hand grenades is clearly a violation of PD 1866, as amended," Prosecutor Canlapan stressed i n his resolution.

When the PAO lawyer assisting the respondents orally moved for the dismissal of the case due to the lapse of the 36-hour period provided under Art. 125 of the Revised Penal Code, the arresting officers posed objections to the oral motion i n view of the attendant extraneous factors during the operation as well as the consequent arrest of all respondents.

Record shows that the Paranaque City Police have been receiving several complaints of robbery from victims involving passengers riding UV-GT express cars on Sucat-Paranaque route, which prompted authorities to install and conduct a patrol and stake out operation. Reports disclosed that passengers while on board a colorum UV-Express were divested of their personal belongings at gun point and other deadly weapons and would be forced to withdraw from A T M Machines of the victims' money. Lascivious acts on hapless victims were also committed by the group. The victims would then be dropped to dimly lit portion of the road and asked not to look back as they w i l l be thrown with grenade if they do so.

On October 6, 2012, while manning a police checkpoint along Dr. Santos Ave, around 3:00 a.m., a police team was ignored by members of the gang who were ridden i n a heavily tinted A U V colored white with plate UIZ-786. Instead of slowing down, it sped off and police gave a chase and intercepted the group i n Brgy. San Antonio, Paranaque City. Arrested were Cahinta,Dagiupioso, Guarino Losa. On the way to the police station, one of the respondents disclosed the whereabouts of the other members of the gang located in different areas i n Metro Manila which prompted authorities to conduct pursuit operations.

As members of the group squealled on their cohorts, other members of the gang were arrested while in possession of guns, live ammunitions, assorted cell phones, ATM card, and several shabu paraphernalia other loots and fruits of their activities.

Complainant-victims all affirmed and positively identified members of the UV-GT Express robbery hold-up group. They told and narrated how and where they were robbed while inside a vehicle.

As this developed, the CIDG from Davao has confirmed that one of the suspects (Luis Bondoc @ Kingkong) turned to be one of the most wanted men i n the Davao region and a resident of Samal Island, Davao del Norte and wanted for two cases of robbery with homicide and a murder case i n the cities of Digos and Davao.

The same syndicate/group is also believed to be the one responsible for the killing last April 2012 of one of the security aides of the Secretary of Justice, Alister Quintos.

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