Salisi Gang members arrested

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Police operatives apprehended yesterday two of the alleged members of notorious Salisi gang whose shoplifting “modus operandi” victimized two malls in this city, said Chief Inspector George Vale, City Police chief, during a press conference at his office.

Police identified the suspects as Jhun Loquillano Cañete, 43, a married resident of Tigbacay in Minglanilla town of Cebu and Lloyd Valdez Berdon, 30, a bachelor resident of Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City.

The two were presented to the media, inside Vale’s office, but they refused to answer questions. Berdon was handcuffed on his back while Cañete was not.

Vale said Island City Mall has filed three counts of theft and Bohol Quality one count of theft against the suspects.

A certain Maria Nemar Sumalinog, an employee of the Government Service Insurance System here, appeared to the media and identified the suspects as the ones who grabbed her signature shoulder bag, a Loius Vuitton, worth P82,000 given to her by a friend that she did not identify.

Another victim, a Briton, identified as 48-year-old Julian Harley Muir-Mardinge, who is residing at seaside J. Operiano Street at Barangay Bingag in Dauis town, came to the press-con. He alleged that Cañete carted away his bag he left at the table inside a restaurant at ICM, while he was having his lunch.

The police report said security guards Angelo Nikuag, 40, and Roland Macalam, 32, and waiter Renante Acdes, 22, chased and apprehended Cañete. They also recovered the stolen bag that contained a Visa card and P10,000 cash.

Berdon and others are facing theft charges filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor with NPS Docket No. VII-14-INV-141-0596, police said.

Aside from Berdon, others who were sued for theft were Sheryl Valdemoro, Maui Cruz, Angel dela Cruz, Eken Bautista, Lily Valdemoro, Bebe Imperial, Kenner Cruz and Mary Grace, all residents of Pasig City, and Michael Villacorta, a resident of Carmen town in Bohol.