A suspected member of a notorious criminal group was arrested in Taguig on Monday, May 23, according to Southern Police District (SPD) director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg.
The arrested suspect was identified as Arnold Varias, 38, a member of the PHMI (Police Hotline Movement Inc.), and a resident of Barangay Upper Bicutan, Taguig.
According to the police, Varias is a member of the Utto robbery holdup group who was arrested on A. Bonifacio Street in Upper Bicutan.
The Taguig police’s Intelligence Section received reliable information from a barangay information network (BIN) that the Utto Robbery Hold-Up Group would operate along A. Bonifacio Street. Varias was nabbed during the police operation.
Based on records, the police alleged that Varias is a member of the criminal group responsible for robbery-hold-ups and proliferation of illegal drugs in Taguig.
Recovered from his possession were a .38-caliber revolver with two live ammunition, a fragmentation hand grenade, one motorcycle without a plate number, PHMI ID and badge, and driver’s license.
The police will file charges of violations of Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition; Republic Act 9516 for illegal possession of explosive and Omnibus Election Code.
“I congratulate our operatives for the speedy response that resulted in the arrest of a member of the Utto Criminal Group,” said Macaraeg.