Female suspect in Comelec chair robbery nabbed in Las Piñas
The arrested suspect in robbing Comelec chair George Garcia (Photo from Pasay City Police)
One of the six "Salisi Gang" members who stole the bag of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia at a restaurant in Pasay City was arrested during a follow-up and backtracking operation in Las Piñas City on Wednesday afternoon, August 20.
The Southern Police District (SPD) said operatives from the District Special Operations Unit, District Intelligence Division, and the Pasay City Police conducted the operation, which led to the arrest of one of the suspects, identified as Hazel, 44, on Zapote Road in Las Piñas City, at around 2:00 p.m.
Hazel was positively identified through CCTV footage as one of those six “ Salisi Gang” members who posed as customers and entered on the second floor of Singing Cooks and Waiters Atbp. Restaurant on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, where Garcia and his bodyguards were dining on Tuesday, August 19.
Police said Garcia’s stolen bag contained some cash, several personal identification cards, and a cellphone. Only the IDs and the cellphone were recovered.
According to the police, Garcia and his bodyguards entered the restaurant to have their lunch after attending a Senate hearing on anti-political dynasty.
Garcia reportedly placed his bag beside his chair and discovered it missing after the suspects left the restaurant.
The CCTV footage obtained from the barangay revealed that the suspects fled on board a silver Toyota Innova with plate number ZEF 399.
Police said three of the suspects, identified as Romson, Alberto, and Jun, all residents of Bacoor, Cavite, had been previously linked to similar “salisi” incidents.
The arrested suspect is now under the custody of the Pasay City Police for documentation and filing of charges.
Col. Joselito De Sesto, city police chief, said a manhunt is ongoing for the five remaining suspects.