Three gang members were arrested after stealing a cellphone and a wallet from a student at the University Belt in Manila, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported on Monday, July 29.
Police identified the suspects as John Mark Bersula, 47; Mark Reyes, 31; and Jefferson Quizila, 37.
According to the police, the victim was walking along CM Recto at around 4:30 p.m. on July 13, when the three suspects approached him and asked him for his opinion on fraternity and hazing.
The 17-year-old victim said the suspects asked him to join them at a coffee shop to sign an anti-hazing campaign to which he agreed.
Police said the victim was asked again to go to a nearby restaurant to sign the campaign. He said he left his belongings with the suspects at the coffee shop before he went to the restaurant.
When the victim returned to the coffee shop, the suspects and his bag had disappeared.
The victim immediately sought police assistance. A follow-up operation was immediately conducted by the MPD, which resulted in the arrest of the suspects on Sunday, July 28.
Police recovered the victim's phone worth P60,000, wallet with P8,000 cash, and credit card.
The suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 315.
As the new school year opened on Monday, the MPD advised the students to be vigilant against scammers and to always report untoward incidents to the assigned police assistance desks (PADs) at the University Belt area.