Davao police form task force vs robbers

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A NEW special task group against motorcycle-riding-in-tandem criminals was formed Wednesday following the spate of crime incidents in Davao Region, especially in this city.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Region has launched the Special Task Group against Motorcycle Riding in Tandem Criminals (STG-MCRTC) to run after motorcycle-riding robbery suspects, said PRO-Davao Regional Director Jaime Morente.

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Morente ordered police unit chiefs to intensify their security measures to pre-empt crime incidents in their areas of responsibility and to beef up crime mapping in crime-prone areas.

"We have issued a letter of instruction for the creation of STG-MCRTC effective today (Wednesday). This is in support to our law enforcement operation in all provincial police offices and in Davao City Police Office," Morente said Wednesday.

Regional spokesperson Marcial Mariano Magistrado said based on their data, 61 robbery/hold-up incidents perpetrated by motorcycle-riding suspects in tandem were recorded in Davao Region from January to February 2012.

Magistrado added that of these cases, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) posted the highest number with 31 incidents.

The STG-MCRTC shall be composed of tracker teams to be organized in provincial police offices and DCPO.

Though this would not guarantee zero crime incident rate, Morente said, the creation of the task force will at least discourage would-be robbers.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged Dabawenyos Wednesday not to be cowed by the robbers as authorities are doing their best to track down the criminals.

“We will not tolerate crimes, rest assured that the City Government and the Davao City Police Office are working on it,” the mayor said.

“Davao criminals, your life ends here,” she added.

On Tuesday evening, a robbery suspect was killed in a shootout with authorities on a manhunt operation in an alley along Sales Street in Davao City.

Senior Inspector Ronald Lao, chief of the Sta. Ana police station, identified the suspect as Bryan Baniug Macalos, 22, a known robber operating along Quezon Boulevard, Guerrero Street, R. Magsaysay Avenue and the Sta. Ana area.

Lao said the suspect was cornered by police who tracked down two men who ran off with the bag of one Rennealou Feby Villa Abrille.

The victim said the suspect grabbed her bag, which contains her personal belonging, cellular phones and documents.

"After the victim filed complaint in the station, our personnel conducted follow-up operation against the suspect. An informant reported to us that the suspect was seen in Sales Street, so we followed him," Lao said.

Lao said the suspect was gunned down after he fought back with the authorities. He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered from the suspect a caliber .38 revolver, a knife, two bullets that apparently did not fire, one live bullet, two cartridges and two deformed slugs.

"I warn criminals, patuloy namin silang hahanapin (we will chase them) until justice is served to their victims," dela Rosa said.

Under his direction, dela Rosa said Dabawenyos will see intensified anti-crime operations. (With Jereco O. Paloma of Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)