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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nartatez lauds swift arrest of 2 armed robbers in Quezon province

Nartatez lauds swift arrest of 2 armed robbers in Quezon province

Suspects boarded bus after heist in Camarines Sur

Published Jun 27, 2026 02:33 pm

At A Glance

  • Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. lauded police units in Quezon province and Camarines Sur for their swift coordination that led to the arrest of two armed robbery suspects in a dragnet operation in Gumaca, Quezon.
  • The suspects, intercepted aboard a passenger bus after a jewelry heist in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, were found carrying loaded firearms, magazines, assorted local and foreign currencies, and jewelry believed to be linked to the robbery.
  • The PNP said the operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing, with the suspects now in the custody of the Gumaca Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of appropriate criminal charges.
Two armed robbery suspects were arrested by the police on board a bus in Gumaca, Quezon on June 26, 2026. (Courtesy of Philippine National Police)
Two armed robbery suspects were arrested by the police on board a bus in Gumaca, Quezon on June 26, 2026. (Courtesy of Philippine National Police)
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. on Saturday, June 27, commended local police units for their seamless coordination that led to the arrest of two armed robbery suspects in Gumaca, Quezon.
The PNP identified the suspects as Christopher Dela Cruz, 50, of Muntinlupa City; and Aljohn Torpio Divino, 37, of Cainta, Rizal.
Initial investigation showed that the suspects – who have just escaped from a jewelry heist in Libmanan, Camarines Sur – were intercepted aboard a passenger bus while traveling along the Maharlika Highway on June 26.
A dragnet operation was immediately launched by the Quezon Police Provincial Office (PPO) after receiving an urgent request for assistance by the Libmanan Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Police eventually flagged a bus and the officers instructed all passengers to disemnark one by one to verify the identities of the occupants. The search led to the suspects who matched the descriptions provided by Camarines Sur intelligence units: they were wearing black jackets and black hats, and one of them had a facial tattoo.
“I commend our local police units for their swift coordination and decisive action. Their professionalism and prompt response prevented armed suspects from evading justice and helped ensure the safety of the riding public,” Nartatez said.
“This successful operation demonstrates the value of intelligence-driven policing and close coordination among our operating units. The timely exchange of information and immediate execution of a dragnet operation enabled our personnel to intercept the suspects before they could escape,” he added.
A search of the suspects’ brown sling bag yielded a loaded 9mm pistol and a loaded caliber .40 pistol.
Police also recovered two loaded magazines for the .40 caliber firearm along with assorted foreign and Philippine currency and pieces of jewelry, the prices of which have yet to be determined by the police. These items are believed to be connected to the reported robbery in Camarines Sur, the PNP said.
The suspects and the recovered evidence were placed in the custody of the Gumaca Municipal Police Station for documentation and filing of appropriate criminal charges.

Related Tags

PNP robbery Quezon province Camarines Sur jewelry heist
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