QCPD: Rob gang linked to carjacking, kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines - A robbery gang has been linked to a carjacking and a kidnapping, based on the charges against one of its suspected members, police officials said yesterday.

Alleged robbery gang member Jomel Tamalla, arrested in Quezon City last week for a non-bailable offense, was identified in a carjacking involving the sport utility vehicle of a priest, Inspector Alan dela Cruz of the Quezon City Police District said.

Arthur Opiniano, reportedly a priest, tagged Tamalla as the one who allegedly took at gunpoint his Toyota Fortuner (TFG-192) before dawn on June 23 outside a convenience store in Barangay Laging Handa, according to Dela Cruz.

Earlier, QCPD director Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Tamalla was among those tagged in the kidnapping of two Filipino-Chinese children last year.

Tamalla was arrested, yet again, on Monday last week by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by a Dagupan, Pangasinan court for the non-bailable offense of robbery with homicide. He was then about to attend a hearing for a separate case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions at the Quezon City Hall of Justice. 

Tamalla is facing a separate complaint for kidnapping being heard by the Department of Justice. 

Initially, the complainants in the case, two Filipino-Chinese children, filed a complaint against the suspect using their aliases. The two children were snatched along Regalado Avenue on their way to school on the morning of July 5. 

When shown the rogues’ gallery – a compilation of mugshots of suspected criminals – the children were able to identify Tamalla, Ephraim John Evangelista, Bernard Tolentino, Resty Branzuela and John Mark Tamalla. A supplemental complaint has been submitted to the DOJ, said Dela Cruz. 

Police said Tamalla, along with eight other suspects, was also tagged in the robbery at BHF Pawnshop and Gemline Center in Dagupan City last May.

Dela Cruz, who heads the QCPD’s Theft and Robbery Investigation Section, noted that aside from Tamalla, the other suspects in the robbery were Alfred Mondarez, who was killed during an encounter with security guards of the pawnshop; Bernard Pating, alias “Ogie;” and Evangelista, alias “Paeng.” Six other suspects remain unidentified.

Tamalla, Evangelista, Raul Hunat, John Mark Tamalla, and Jackylene Cleto were arrested last year after a robbery at the house of Bureau of Customs official Julito Doria. 

The suspects allegedly took from Doria’s house  P1.4 million in cash and valuables, including the family’s Shih Tzu. They have apparently posted bail since then, police said.

The group is allegedly led by Branzuela, who remains at large, Dela Cruz said.

According to Dela Cruz, Evangelista and other members of the group had been tagged in a robbery at a jewelry store in Cubao in February and at another house, also in Cubao, in July.