By MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
Parañaque police chief Senior Superintendent Leon Victor Rosete announced yesterday the arrest of one of holdup suspects who stormed the a porridge (goto) store last Thursday.
Rosete said that the suspect, Jesrell Arador alias Budoy, 31, of Hontiveros Compound, Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque, was brought to an undisclosed hospital after he broke his right arm while trying to evade pursuing policemen Saturday.
Arador was one of the four armed men who robbed the Goto Bar on Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Barangay San Isidro at 2:30 a.m. of January 4, carting away P40,000 from the customers and the store.
“After mapanood sa national television, marami kaming tips na natanggap from residents so one by one, we verified them until nag-positive itong latest operations kasama ng intelligence gathering,” Rosete said.
When Arador saw the police, Rosete said the suspect went to the roof of one shanty on the second floor but slipped and fell straight to the ground, injuring himself.
Rosete said Arador had previous violation of Republic Act No. 9262 (Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act) in 2016.
A .38-caliber revolver loaded with five bullets was seized from Arador during the arrest. Rosete said it would be subjected to ballistic examination.
48-HOUR DEADLINE
The arrest came before the expiration of the 48-hour deadline given by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Oscar Albayalde to Rosete. If no positive development came within the period, Albayalde warned that he would be relieved from his post.
Albayalde reasoned out that no crime should be left unsolved no matter how small or big it is, especially the suspects in the goto robbery were all armed and dangerous.
Anecito Manalo, 32, one of the two customers was hit in the leg when suspects thought he would try to escape.
Asked if he was pressured by Albayalde’s challenge, Rosete said: “Binibigyan din natin ng halaga ‘yong hamon sa atin kaya kasama talaga sa ating tasking, kasama sa ating trabaho na mahuli itong mga gumagawa ng masama.”
Rosete further said that they also have leads on the whereabouts of the three other suspects but refused to disclose information.
He, however, assured that manhunt operations against them are ongoing.
“Wag nilang subukan ang ating batas dahil kahit may hamon o wala ang aming mga commanders, magta-trabaho kami hanggang mahuli sila,” the police official warned.
MORE PATROL COPS
After the incident, Rosete said he had ordered the deployment of more night beat patrollers to secure the city. Initially, around 50 police officers were temporarily transferred to night shift, he said.
“Nagdagdag tayo ng mga tao sa pang-gabi, kinuha sa morning at afternoon shifts so paisa-isa muna para hindi mapilay ‘yung ibang shifts,” he added.
