QC cops collar bulldozer thieves

A group specializing in the theft of heavy equipment has been neutralized in Quezon City by the Central Police District Office (CPDO) Special Projects Unit.

CPDO director Senior Superintendent Napoleon Castro identified the suspects as Rey Villareal, Mario Estoquia, Felino Esguerra Jr. and Felino Esguerra Sr.

The suspects were arrested in separate follow-up operations conducted by the CPDO following the hijacking of four units of heavy equipment reported last Feb. 9 by the owner, Gregorio Arcangel Jr.

Arcangel lost a bulldozer, a low-bed trailer, a Nissan tractor head and a 10-wheeler tractor head to the suspects while they were en route to the Manila International Container Port in Manila from San Pedro, Laguna. The bulldozer was loaded in the low-bed trailer attached to a Nissan tractor head (PVC-793).

The stolen vehicles and equipment were recovered from the suspects.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco commended the men of the CPDO for the successful operation against lawless elements.

Velasco said the neutralization of the suspects is part of the Huli Agad program of the National Capital Region Police Office and is in line with the directive of President Arroyo and Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. for an all out war on street crimes in the metropolis.

"Our men at the CPDO exemplify our Pulis Mabilis, quick to respond and make arrests on felons. This is our new breed of cops in the Metro Manila police force," he said.

He likewise cited Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for his support in the continuing campaign against all forms of criminality in his locality. "Without the support of the local government and the citizenry, our police officers cannot win the fight against criminality,’’ he stressed.

Castro’s men were also able to neutralize robbery suspects Estrelito Infante, of Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City, and his cohort Mark Lopez, of Cubao, Quezon City. The suspects had robbed passengers of a jeepney plying the Quiapo-Project 6 route. A third suspect, who remains unidentified, was able to evade arrest.

The timely reporting by the victims of the crime, which happened at midnight at the corner of Victory and Quezon Avenue in Tatalon, Quezon City, to police personnel of Galas police Station 11 prompted follow-up operations against the three suspects.

As soon as the cops caught up with the suspects, a firefight ensued. Infante sustained a bullet wound, Lopez was apprehended, while the third suspect was able to scamper away. Infante died on arrival at the Philippine Orthopedic Center.– Non Alquitran