Thief preying on hospital workers in Tacurong nabbed

KIDAPAWAN, Philippines – Police in the southern city of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat province arrested on Friday night a thief believed to be preying on medical workers in southwestern Mindanao. Tacurong police director Supt. Joel Limson identified the suspect as Annie Cerezo dela Rosa of Barrio-Dos in Koronadal City. She is also known as Amy Senarosa Ordaniel, records from police showed. Limson said the suspect was cornered by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) inside Jude Clinic along Ledesma Street. SWAT team operatives led by SPO4 Arnold Dignadice recovered from the suspect a shoulder bag containing several automated teller machine (ATM) cards, pawnshop receipts, and two wallets they believed were stolen from her victims. Limson said that during initial investigations, the suspect admitted to employing the so-called “salisi gang" modus operandi. She would enter a hospital or clinic posing as a costumer or relative of one of the patients. Once she gets a chance, she would grab shoulder bags, wallets, or any valuable left inside the infirmary or clinic. Dela Rosa was positively identified by three of her victims — two doctors and a nurse. Limson said a string of robbery charges had already been filed in cities of Koronadal, General Santos, and Tacurong against the suspect for the same offense she committed. The suspect is now under the custody of Tacurong City PNP as they ready the filing of charges against her. - Malu Cadeliňa Manar, GMANews.TV