Police ready raps vs 6 Murcia robbers

THE Murcia Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental is preparing the robbery hold-up charges against the six armed men who allegedly robbed a family and their three relatives at Barangay Canlandog last week.

Chief Inspector Roberto Indiape Jr., town police chief, said they have already identified the perpetrators, whom he claimed to be remnants of a former organized crime group in the town.

He, however, refused to reveal their identities, pending the filing of the case.

On February 15, Alfredo Tugade, 63; his wife Elvira, 51; their 15year-old grandchild; and three other relatives, including two minors, were on board a private-owned jeepney when the assailants blocked their way and threatened them at gunpoint.

The robbers, armed with .45 caliber pistol each, were all wearing bonnets. They allegedly carted away P105,000 in cash, and three cellular phones worth P2,400.

They fled on foot. The victims were unharmed.

Indiape said the suspects were identified by some residents in the area, who saw them few days prior to the incident.

The robbers probably monitored the victims’ activities and route, he added.

They also knew that the victims, who are small planters, took a big amount of money that day, he said.

The pursuit operation against the suspect is ongoing.

Indiape said some of the group’s members were already in prison while others continue to commit the crime after they served their sentence in jail.

Some of them even have arrest warrants for murder and other cases, he added.

Minors nabbed

Meanwhile, three minors, including a 14-yearold girl, were arrested for theft at Barangay Handumanan in Bacolod City yesterday.

The two male sus- pects were 15 years old.

Police records showed that the minors were allegedly caught stealing “ready to wear” clothes from the store of a 23-year-old woman from Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Police recovered from the suspects the stolen items and cash amounting to P40,000.

The minors were already turned over to the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of Police Station 10.*