Highway robbery gang busted
Elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Dueñas town captured four suspects involved in the series of highway robberies perpetrated in the province.
Taken into custody after a hot pursuit operation were Mark Sarmiento, Allan Deloroso, Rammy Moquete alias Hugo and Christian Dote.
Iloilo provincial police director S/Supt. Ricardo dela Paz said Dote escaped during the encounter with the group Saturday night in barangay Poong, Lambunao that reached up to barangay Banugan in Dueñas. He was captured early Sunday morning.
"Their leader, Roger Palma, has a standing warrant of arrest and he's still at large," Dela Paz said.
With the capture of some of the suspects, who held up businessmen and agents of lending companies, the police hoped that highway robbery incidents will go down.
Meanwhile, evidence against the four are being consolidated in preparation for the filing of case against them.
"Naturally, they denied any involvement in the crime," the police official said.
However, the suspects did not deny that they were the ones who figured in the shooting encounter with the police in Lambunao before the pursuit ensued.
Recovered in the area were three firearms, two grenades, and empty shells of carbine, shotgun and a .45 caliber revolver. (PNA)