The Quezon City Police District arrested eight men who allegedly threatened residents of a disputed compound in Quezon City Friday.
Police identified the suspects as Hernane Esperas, 38; Elmer Magdaraog, 45; Rosendo de Vera, 44; Rocky Bautista, 51; Jovito Cervitillo, 50; Alfie Reyes, 35; Joel Habagat, 46; and Danilo Buenaventura, 56.
Police said the suspects used undocumented guns to threaten and assault four residents of No. 10 Quezon Ave. in Barangay Tatalon.
Investigation showed that the suspects suddenly barged into the compound where Arnel Claridad, 40; Riza Hortalino, 40; Disiderio Balasabas, 54; and Jose Ben Aguirre, 70, are living at around 4 p.m.
The victims told police that the group, five of them armed, held them at gunpoint and tied them up with cable wires before they were dragged into a van.
The victims added they were beaten up by the men as the vehicle drove within the vicinity.
Minutes later, the suspects brought them back to the compound. Before the van left, the victims managed to seek help from patrolling cops.
Policemen immediately arrested the group.
Confiscated from the suspects were one Bersa caliber 9mm pistol with two magazines, two caliber .45 pistols with 24 bullets, two shotguns loaded with four bullets, and a fan knife.
They also seized the group’s Toyota Hi-Ace van with license plates ABL-738.
Police said the victims claimed that the men were hired by a man who reportedly claims ownership of the private lot where they reside.
The victims said they were threatened to vacate the compound so that the man, whom police have yet to identify, can occupy it. (Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)
