Armed 'Gapos Gang' robbers enter Marikina home with fake warrant, tie up victims

Five men, identified by authorities as members of the “Gapos Gang,” were arrested after robbing P3.4 million worth of cash and valuables from a house in Barangay Concepcion Dos, Marikina City.

According to a 24 Oras report by EJ Gomez on Tuesday, eight men carried out the operation, but three members—including the alleged mastermind—managed to escape after a police chase.

CCTV footage captured the two vehicles used by the suspects leaving a portion of Marcos Highway in Marikina past midnight on Monday.

By past 1:00 a.m., they had arrived in Barangay Concepcion Dos.

Authorities said the suspects targeted a businessman’s house, disguising themselves as law enforcement and even presenting a fake search warrant.

“Nung pinapakita nila ‘yung dokumento na search warrant, nagpakilala sila bilang pulis, NBI [at] saka SWAT,” Eastern Police District Director P/BGen. Melecio Buslig Jr. said.

“Pagpasok nila, agad-agad nilang pinutol 'yung kawad ng Wi-Fi na nagkokonekta sa CCTV nung bahay at ginapos ‘yung mga nandoon sa loob ng bahay,” he added.

(They showed a supposed search warrant and identified themselves as police, NBI, and SWAT. As soon as they entered, they immediately cut the Wi-Fi cable connecting the house's CCTV and tied up the people inside.)

The individuals inside the house were reportedly bound with cable ties and threatened with firearms.

According to the victims, the suspects forced them to open a vault containing P300,000. One of the victims added that they were also forced to transfer money via a mobile wallet.

One of the victims took advantage of a moment to call the police for help using a cellphone.

“Pagdating po namin sa area, on progress ‘yung robbery. Then after split seconds lang, palabas na sila. Instead na huminto, magpakilala, agad silang tumakbo: 'May pulis!' Kaya nag-isip kaagad ako na hindi legitimate operation ‘yun,” Marikina Police Substation 8 Shift Supervisor P/CMS Rolando Cornejo said.

(When we arrived at the area, the robbery was still in progress. Then, just split seconds later, they were coming out. Instead of stopping and identifying themselves, they immediately ran, shouting, 'The cops!' That’s when I realized it wasn't a legitimate operation.)

Police said the suspects attempted but failed to use the family vehicle of the victims.

Confiscated from the nabbed suspects were a cable cutter, duct tape, five cellphones, a luxury watch, four improvised shotguns (sumpak), a 9mm caliber pistol, and the bonnets used to cover their faces.

Meanwhile, the three suspects who managed to escape reportedly carted away the vault containing cash, jewelry, and a cellphone.

The total value of the stolen items is estimated to reach P3.4 million.

In Gomez’s report, the suspects are now detained at the Marikina Police Custodial Facility—they declined to issue a statement to the media.

“Sabi nga po nila is parang extra income. Sabi nila is mag-ano lang sila, mag-back up, ‘Dahil pag naging successful na, mahuli 'yung ating huhulihin,’ meron silang kaagad na bayad na P20,000 each,” Marikina City Police Chief P/Col. Jenny Tecson said.

(They said it is just an extra income. They were told they would just serve as backup, and once it's successful and catches their target, they would immediately be paid ₱20,000 each.)

The suspects will be charged with robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, usurpation of authority, slight illegal detention, falsification of public documents, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

“Dun sa tatlo na pinaghahanap pa namin, hindi titigil ang Marikina City Police Station at buong pwersa ng Eastern Police District para kayo ay tugisin,” Buslig said.

(To the three suspects we are still looking for, the Marikina City Police Station and the entire force of the Eastern Police District will not stop hunting you down.) — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BM, GMA News