By FREDDIE VELEZ
A police officer allegedly serving as the leader of a criminal gang involved in a string of robbery-holdup incidents in Bulacan was arrested during a hot pursuit operation following a robbery on August 27 in Barangay Manggahan, Santa Maria.
Lt. Col. Voltaire Rivera, chief of Santa Maria Police, said the arrested suspect is a 34-year-old police staff sergeant assigned as team leader of the Motorcycle Patrol Unit at Tanauan Component City Police Station.
He was identified by victims as the individual who brandished a firearm during the robbery at a soft drink warehouse that occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27.
The stolen cash, concealed in plastic bags labeled “Mentos,” was also recovered and confirmed by the victims.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to participating in three separate robbery-holdups in Bulacan—specifically in Angat, Bocaue, and Santa Maria.
On August 23, the group reportedly stormed a rice store in Bocaue, restrained the employees, and stole cash and personal belongings. CCTV footage captured the incident.
Days later, the gang struck again, targeting the soft drink warehouse in Santa Maria using a gray pickup truck. One suspect’s face mask slipped during the act, allowing victims to positively identify him from the footage.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the Santa Maria incident, revealing his identity as a police officer.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession were a .45-caliber pistol, three high-capacity magazines and 12 rounds of live ammunition, and a replica .45-caliber pistol.
Also seized were two vehicle plate numbers (CAE1713), three plastic bags of coins, seven Android smartphones and two keypad phones, a samurai sword, one bolt cutter, and 59 cable ties.
The arrest was the result of a coordinated operation by Santa Maria Police led by Lt. Col. Rivera, Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Unit under Lt. Col. Russel Dennis Reburiano, Regional Special Operations Group (PRO-3) led by Lt. Col. Leonardo Madrid, CIDG-Bulacan Provincial Field Unit headed by Lt. Col. Raymond Nicolas, and Tanauan City Police Station under Lt. Col. Caezar Ian Binucal.
Authorities are now pursuing three other suspects who remain at large.
ZERO TOLERANCE
The PNP reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct within its ranks.
Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. commended the swift action taken by law enforcement and condemned the suspect’s betrayal of public trust.
“We will never tolerate any member of the police force who dares betray the uniform and the public trust. This arrest is a testament to our strengthened campaign under the guidance of our Acting Chief, PNP, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. We assure the public that the PNP remains firm in bringing criminals to justice—whether civilian or police personnel,” Peñones stated.
