PNP probes Cavite suspects' links to store heists. ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into possible links between four suspects arrested in connection with a convenience store robbery in Trece Martires City, Cavite and other similar cases across Luzon.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed police regional offices in Luzon to review recent robbery cases involving convenience stores following the arrest of an Army corporal who was reportedly on absence without official leave (AWOL) and three other suspects.
The four were arrested on Thursday at a hotel in Catanauan, Quezon.
“We will look into how the group operated, where they obtained their firearms, and whether their actions were connected to other incidents,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“Any skills or training acquired in the service must never be used to harm the public or violate the law,” he stressed.
The PNP said the development was being closely examined in light of an earlier investigation into a group of four unidentified armed men allegedly behind at least 17 robbery, hold-up and theft incidents in Calabarzon and Metro Manila.
In March, police said the group had robbed four convenience stores in Antipolo, Teresa and Pililla, Rizal from March 1 to 2.
The same group was also being linked to previous robberies involving other stores in Pateros, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon.
Police are now checking whether the newly arrested suspects are connected to those incidents.
Investigators are also tracing the source and ownership of the firearms and explosives seized during the operation to determine whether these were used in previous crimes.
The suspects are facing robbery charges as well as violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9516, involving firearms and explosives.
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