San Juan’s 9th most wanted, 2 cohorts arrested for extortion The ninth most wanted man in San Juan City and two tow truck personnel who allegedly extort money from motorists due to a supposed traffic violation, were arrested in Pasig City Friday. Police Colonel Ariel Fulo, San Juan City Police chief, identified the suspects as Mario Ped, 46; Roberto Berberio, 46; and Michael Tambo-ong, 37. Fulo identified Ped as the city’s ninth most wanted criminal. Investigation showed that the trio was nabbed inside a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) impounding area located along Doña Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City at around 3:30 p.m. Friday. During their arrest, the three men introduced themselves as towing officers of Fighter Towing Company, a private towing company operating in Metro Manila, police said. Fulo revealed that the suspects’ modus operandi is to identify themselves as towing officers of MMDA and reprimand motorists for a supposed parking violation. To avoid their vehicle from being impounded, the men would then demand P1,500 from each of their victims, the police chief said. Records also showed that the trio allegedly extorted P1,500 from Rafael Gandionco on November 3, 2017 in San Juan City. This was after they illegally towed and impounded Gandionco’s motorcycle. The arresting officers were armed with an arrest warrant issued by Judge Frank Lobrigo of Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 160. The three men are now detained at San Juan City Police custodial facility. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas) 4 alleged drug peddlers arrested in buy-bust operations in Marikina City Four alleged drug peddlers were arrested in two separate buy-bust operations conducted in two barangays of Marikina City Friday night. First to fall to the authorities was 41-year-old Michael Perez, a parking attendant, and a resident of Barangay San Roque, Marikina. Investigation showed that Perez was nabbed at around 9:45 p.m. along Munding Avenue in Barangay San Roque when a police poseur buyer was able to purchase P500 worth of shabu from him. The sting was launched after a police informant reported the alleged involvement of a certain Ake, later identified as Perez, with the sale of illegal drugs in the area, the police said. Two hours later, the anti-narcotics team set a buy-bust sting along Block 29, Ampalaya Street in Creek Side, Marikina. The team apprehended Ronelito Boque, 31; and cohorts John David, 20; and Jonathan Lim, 19, shortly after Boque handed over to an undercover cop a sachet of illegal drugs, police said. Recovered from the four suspects were a total of 10 sachets of suspected shabu and the two P500 marked bills. They are now detained and will face the charge for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas) Man gunned down by 3 assailants inside his Pandacan house A man, who was formerly jailed for theft, was gunned down by three unknown assailants inside their house in Pandacan, Manila on Friday afternoon. Police found the fatality, identified as John Paul Almario, 26, lying in his own blood on the floor of their residence at Apartment 15 extension, Building 1 Alley, Bagong Barangay Housing Project, West Zamora Street. He sustained at least four gunshot wounds, including one in the head. According to on-case investigator Police Officer (PO) 3 John Bucad, the victim was sticking wallpaper when suddenly the unidentified suspects, who were wearing mask and bullcap, alighted from their motorcycles and entered his house at about 1 p.m. on Mar. 1. Thereafter, the perpetrators fired multiple shots against the victim and immediately fled away with the weapon they used. The motive in the killing is still unclear. Based on Bucad’s interview with barangay officials, the victim got detained last June 2018 for the crime of theft. He was also involved in other cases, which are yet to be disclosed. Additionally, it was learned that several complaints were lodged against him at the barangay. “Posibleng may galit o nakaaway siya (Someone may have been angry at him),” Bucad said. Further investigation is ongoing. (Ria Fernandez) Drug group member nabbed in Makati A member of a drug group operating in the cities of Taguig and Makati was apprehended during a buy-bust operation inside a motel in Makati City on Friday night. Chief Insp. Gideon Ines Jr., Makati police's Assistant Chief of Police for Operations (ACOPO), said 39-year-old Rodoldo Bernardo is a member of the notorious Manite Drug Group. At 9:45 p.m., a female asset transacted with Bernardo inside a motel in Barangay Guadalupe, Makati. Ines said that the female police asset first gained the trust of the suspect before he sold shabu to her. After receiving the marked money, policemen entered the motel and collared Bernardo. Seized from him were five plastic sachets containing shabu, the marked money, and various drug paraphernalia. Ines said the group that Bernardo belongs to are usually selling drugs to call center agents, and other young professionals. "They are known to peddle drugs in Taguig and Makati. The Manite Drug Group usually sells to call center agents, " he said. It was learned that a Makati court issued an alias warrant against him for failing to show up during a hearing. He is facing a drug case, Ines said. Bernardo is now held at the Makati police headquarters' detention cell. (Jel Santos)