6 'notorious' pickpockets nabbed in Mabolo

CEBU, Philippines — Six allegedly notorious pickpockets and two minors were nabbed in an entrapment operation in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City on Friday evening.

One of them was caught through citizen arrest and was immediately brought to the Mabolo Police Station.

Police Inspector Samson Go, Mabolo Police Station deputy chief, said that victim Glenn Borinaga, 45, a resident of Guadalupe, Cebu City, realized he lost his wallet containing P30,000 cash and other valuable items while he was outside a mall last Friday.

Go said that the victim recognized Joy Rose Ababao, 24, a native of Bacolod City, who kept following him prior to the incident. Borinaga apprehended Ababao by virtue of citizen arrest and brought her directly to the Mabolo Police Station.

Upon the arrest, police recovered from Ababao the stolen P30,000.

During interrogation, Ababao revealed that one of her cohorts, Ansary Mamailo, 45, a native of Marawi City, was allegedly waited for her at the mall. Operatives immediately conducted a follow-up operation and Mamailo was arrested.

Go said that aside from pickpocketing, the suspects were also involved in selling illegal drugs as operatives also seized from them a total of P140,420 worth of suspected shabu.

Ababao and Mamailo further revealed the names of their other accomplices which led to the arrests of Saidamen Unte, 34, a native of Marawi City; Ailyn Biaco, 29, a native of Marikina City; Aries Cabug, 23, a native of Masbate City; Margie Silva, 39, a resident of Masbate City.

A total of P421,260 worth of suspected shabu was also seized from the four.

The operatives also rescued two minors who allegedly played as cohorts of the suspects.

Also recovered from the suspects were several fake IDs, a plane ticket for Bacolod and tickets for a party event in Mandaue City that same day, Friday.

Go said that the suspects may have been planning to go to the event to steal from attending guests.

Police Regional Office-7 Regional Director Robert Quenery said that the suspects were members of an organized crime group based in Metro Manila. Allegedly, the modus of the group is to go to different places and take advantage of big celebrations like the Sinulog.

"Ang mga ito ay dadayo sa ibat-ibang lugar at mamiktima ng ating mga kababayan na nagsi-celebrate ng fiesta. Kung saan-saan nalang iyan sila napupunta, umabot pa nga sila sa Baguio. Ang sunod daw nila ay Bacolod," said Quenery.

He also said that police are doubling their efforts in running against this type of criminals who always come out during big events.

Meanwhile, Ababao admitted that she has been pickpocketing so she could raise her children but denied involvement in drugs.

"Aaminin ko po nandito talaga kami para mandukot. Pero hindi po ako involved sa drugs," said Ababao.

Mobile jails

Meanwhile, the Cebu City government has prepared four Kaohsiung buses to be used as temporary detention cells for drunkards and other violators during the Sinulog Grand Parade.

City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, said the city is coordinating with Philippine National Police for the implementation of the liquor ban and other ordinances.

“Warning sa mga spectators labi na katong mga nagplano nga muinom, ayaw nalang gyud og sulod within the 300-meter radius sa parade route,” he told reporters.

Tumulak said the buses will be mobile from Fuente Osmeña, Mango Avenue, and Juana Osmeña Street, among other crowded places during the Sinulog Grand Parade.

He said police will be deployed throughout the route to ensure that there will be no drunkards roaming around.

“Mao na ang bantayan sa kapulisan, mao na ang buhaton sa kapulisan para pag-pre-empt sa dautang mahitabo. Maong awhag nato nga tuman lang gyud sa ordinances and sa executive order sa siyudad,” he added.

Only two mobile jails will be initially deployed while the other two will be on standby, Tumulak said.

He said police officers are asked to “rescue” the drunkards and those who will violate ordinances for “safekeeping” inside the temporary detention cells.

Tumulak said police will strictly implement City Ordinance 512, or Anti-drunkenness, which will penalize those apprehended with a P1,000 fine.

There is no exact time as to how long the “rescued” people will stay in the buses, he said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has imposed a liquor ban which prohibits the selling and drinking of intoxicating liquor within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Grand Parade route from  6 a.m. of January 21 to 6 a.m. of January 22.

The liquor ban also specifically applies to Escario Street where several business establishments from the Provincial Capitol Building up to the intersection of Gorordo Avenue, since the road serves as a “crucial alternative route for vehicles during Sinulog.”

Tumulak also reminded the entertainment ban imposed on establishments within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Parade and procession route from Friday to Sunday. (FREEMAN)