Seven persons believed involved with a suspected criminal syndicate in the “systematic” stealing of live chickens from poultry farms have been arrested in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Tuesday, March 5.
The NBI identified those arrested last Feb. 28 as Roger Gasga, Ronald Gumban, Roniel Victor V. Venturina, Lance Tyrone Venturina, John Aldrin Dave Venturina, Nelson V. Gadia Jr., and Macper De Jesus Valino.
It said the operation stemmed from the complaint made by Foster Foods, Inc. (FFI), a corporation engaged in poultry production and operations with various farms and plants in different parts of Luzon.
“FFI requested assistance from NBI in the investigation and subsequent filing of appropriate criminal cases against the members of the syndicate involved in the systematic theft and pilferage of in-transit poultry products (prime size live chickens) of FFI,” said the bureau.
It said investigations found that at various points from Batangas to Bulacan, “the truck drivers and helpers transfer the GPS (global positioning system) installed by FFI in their respective trucks to their decoy vehicle that would take the standard route in going to the final drop off point in the FFI Plant, Pulilan, Bulacan.”
“The truck, on the other hand, would proceed to a property located along New Bypass Road in Sta. Maria, Bulacan referred by the syndicate as ‘arena’ where the switching of prime size live chickens and runts, as well as the payment for the said exchange ranging from P40 to P50 each, would take place,” it said.
The NBI said its investigators have identified Gasga and Gumban as the driver and helper, respectively, of the FFI truck in the entrapment operation.
The other arrested suspects were found aboard a Toyota Innova and another truck carrying stolen live chickens, it said.
It also said those onboard the Toyota Innova and the other truck tried to flee but were eventually caught by pursuing agents during a hot pursuit.