Provincial

6 NUEVA ECIJA CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERS ARRESTED IN LAGUNA

admin November 13, 2026

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Six men who reportedly robbed a convenience store in Nueva Ecija were arrested on Wednesday night during pursuit operations in Laguna.

According to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, the suspects were arrested in Alaminos, Laguna following a coordinated manhunt led by Lt. Col. Lory Tarrazona of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG).

The operation was carried out through PRO3’s Kuyog System, which enabled intelligence sharing and coordination among police units in Central Luzon and the Calabarzon region.

The joint operation involved the RSOG, Regional Intelligence Division 3, Gapan City Police Station, and other police units in Calabarzon.

Investigation showed that on Tuesday, Nov. 10, the armed suspects entered an Alfamart branch in Bgy. Pambuan, Gapan City and declared a holdup and tied up two female cashiers inside the stockroom.

The suspects fled in a white Toyota Hi-Ace van, taking around P43,000 cash, four cellular phones and an undetermined amount of money from the store’s GCash funds.

Recovered from the suspects were four hand grenades, firearms, ammunition, cellular phones, cash and the alleged getaway vehicle.

Authorities are investigating the possible involvement of the suspects in other robbery incidents targeting branches of the same convenience store chain.

Mendez said the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-regional police coordination in pursuing criminals who attempt to evade arrest by crossing provincial and regional boundaries.

“Criminals cannot escape accountability simply by crossing provincial or regional borders. Through our Kuyog System, our police units act as one, share intelligence, and move immediately to apprehend those responsible,” the official said.

The operation was in line with the directive of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and ensure the swift arrest of criminal offenders.

Charges for robbery, violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and illegal possession of explosives were being readied for filing in court against the arrested suspects.