7 ‘carjackers’ nabbed in Batangas

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – – Seven suspected carjackers were arrested in a police operation in Mabini, Batangas that also resulted in the recovery of a stolen vehicle yesterday morning.

The suspects, identified as Lendi Estolanto, Raymundo Bautista, Juan Eslobo, Randy Merelles, Reneeboy Merelles, James Ramos and Alberto Carandang, are being held at the Mabini police jail.

Senior Superintendent Jireh Omega Fidel, provincial police director, said the arresting team also recovered from the suspects a plastic sachet said to contain shabu, a 9mm pistol, a grenade and drug paraphernalia.

Police said the vehicle, a Toyota Grandia, was stolen from a Japanese in Pasay City at around 2 a.m.

Authorities managed to track down the car through the GPS (global positioning system) installed in the vehicle.

Three of the suspects were arrested inside the car in Barangay Mainaga at around 7 a.m. The four others were nabbed in a follow-up operation at the group’s hideout in the same village. – With Arnell Ozaeta