8 members of Taguig City carnapping gang nabbed

Police arrested the alleged leader and seven members of a robbery-holdup and carnapping group linked to a series of motorcycle thefts across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, authorities said.

According to a report by Jhomer Apresto on "24 Oras Weekend," the suspects were apprehended in separate operations conducted by the Eastern Police District (EPD) following an investigation into a recent motorcycle robbery in Marikina City.

Police Brig. Gen. Melecio Buslig, Jr., Eastern Police District director, identified the group as the "Paps Group," allegedly led by a suspect known only by the alias "Paps" from Taguig City.

He said the group has been operating since 2023 and has carried out crimes not only in Metro Manila but also in Cavite and Bulacan.

The arrests stemmed from a robbery incident in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City on Thursday. A 20-year-old victim told police that he and his girlfriend were buying food when four armed men aboard two motorcycles suddenly approached them and forcibly took their motorcycle.

"Tinutukan na po agad kami ng baril at saka pinababa na agad po kami ng motor. Kaya tumalikod na po kami agad tapos yumuko na po kami," the victim said.

Investigators also linked the suspects to a similar robbery caught on CCTV on May 18 along Santisimo Street in Barangay Santo Niño, Marikina City.

Video footage showed three motorcycles stopping near a school before armed suspects dismounted and robbed a motorcyclist at gunpoint.

According to the victim in that incident, one of the suspects kept a firearm pointed at him as he walked away while the group fled with his motorcycle.

Buslig said initial investigations indicate that the group may have stolen up to more than 100 motorcycles.

The stolen vehicles were allegedly transported to Mindanao through ports and sold there, according to Police Col. Jenny Tecson, Marilkina police chief.

Recovered from the suspects were eight motorcycles, including two allegedly used in their operations and one believed to belong to a victim in Marikina, two cars, two firearms with ammunition, and clothing allegedly used by the suspects to evade identification after committing crimes.

The arrested suspects are currently under the custody of the Marikina City Police Station and are facing multiple criminal charges.

Police said the suspects declined to issue any statement following their arrest. Their relatives also refused to comment.

Authorities are still verifying the ownership of the other recovered vehicles and have launched follow-up operations to track down additional members of the group who remain at large.—MCG, GMA News