Suspect in clinic heists falls

MANILA, Philippines - A man who admitted to robbing dental and optical clinics in eastern Metro Manila was arrested in Pasig City Sunday.

Wilfredo Vidallo, 41, who was identified as the Eastern Police District’s Public Enemy No. 1, apologized to seven of his victims during a confrontation yesterday at the office of EPD director Chief Superintendent Elmer Jamias.

He was carrying a .38 caliber revolver, a fragmentation grenade and a sachet of shabu when he was arrested.

Jamias called on Vidallo’s victims to file additional charges.

Of the seven complainants who went to Jamias’ office yesterday, three of them picked out Vidallo from a police lineup.

Superintendent Earl Castillo, EPD intelligence chief, said Vidallo’s modus operandi is to pretend to be a customer at a clinic.

Vidallo became the EPD’s Public Enemy No. 1 after an optical shop owner went to Jamias with a video showing the suspect robbing his shop on Nov. 17.