Cops foil robbery; 9 suspects nabbed

CAMP OLIVAS - At least nine suspected members of a notorious robbery-holdup gang were arrested by operatives in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City Sunday dawn in Mountain View Subdivision here.

Senior Superintendent Elmo Sarona, regional officer of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the identities of the arrested robbers "are not yet available" pending the investigation.

Sarona said intelligence information was received that unidentified armed men were planning to rob the house of lawyer Jhonatan Javate, 48, of Melba Street in Mt. View, Angeles City.

He said combined operatives of CIDG from the National Headquarters, Angeles City police and CIDT Pampanga immediately responded to the area and arrested the robbers.

Confiscated from their possessions were one .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver, two hand grenades, knives, cellular phones and assorted ammunitions.

Sarona said they are still investigating what group the arrested suspects belong to.

The group could be responsible for the series of robbery-holdup incidents in Angeles City and nearby towns, he said.

Sarona said the suspects were taken to CIDT Pampanga in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City.

He said that appropriate charges are set to be filed in court against them.

Chief Superintendent Francisco Uyami, newly-installed chief of CIDG Camp Crame, arrived in Angeles City to see the arrested robbers and congratulate his men for a "job well done." (Ric Sapnu)