PAMPANGA — An emerging armed robbery group allegedly operating across Central Luzon has been targeted in a series of police operations in Zambales, yielding firearms and explosives.
The group came under police scrutiny after being linked to several robbery incidents in Bataan, Olongapo City and Zambales.
Among the incidents being investigated is the robbery of an ice cream shop in Pilar, Bataan, where CCTV footage captured three armed men entering the establishment.
One of the suspects was seen approaching the employees before pulling out a gun and declaring a hold-up.
Two other armed men then entered and took money and other valuables.
Police Regional Office 3 Director PBGen. Jess Mendez said the group allegedly also targeted gas stations and pedestrians.
“May mga gasolinahan na hino-hold up nila, meron namang naglalakad lang na tao, tinututukan nila. Robbery-snatching ang datingan,” Mendez said.
The group was again caught on CCTV after an alleged robbery at a gas station in Castillejos, Zambales, on September 25.
The following day, police conducted separate operations in Zambales based on intelligence linking individuals to the robbery group.
Two search warrant operations in San Antonio resulted in the recovery of six firearms, a hand grenade and assorted ammunition.
In a separate buy-bust operation in Cabangan, police arrested another suspect and seized a caliber .38 revolver, 1.61 grams of suspected shabu and 30.1 grams of suspected marijuana.
“During the implementation of the search warrant, may nahuli tayong dalawang tao. Nakakuha tayo ng tatlong firearms at isang granada,” Mendez said.
“Doon sa follow-up operation natin, may nakuha tayong apat na baril at nakaaresto pa tayo ng dalawang tao. All in all, pitong firearms ang nakuha natin, isang grenade, apat na tao ang naaresto natin,” he added.
He said some of those arrested had previously been involved in petty crimes before allegedly forming the robbery group.
Mendez described the group as an emerging criminal organization whose operations were expanding.
“This group are emerging, papalaki nang papalaki. It's a good thing na-profile natin sila ng maayos and eventually naaresto natin yung mga members,” he said.
Police said charges have been filed against those arrested, while authorities continue to track down the group's alleged leader.