Leader behind daring armed robbery in Bulacan turns out to be a cop

The leader of the group behind an armed robbery in a rice store in Bocaue, Bulacan turned out to be a policeman.

According to John Consulta’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, five armed men wearing bonnets were caught on CCTV entering the establishment on Saturday. They pointed their rifles at the employees and tied them up while the rest of the gang amassed the money and other valuables in the store.

“Papasukin nila yung bahay ‘pag nagbukas ng pintuan then papasok sila at then itatali nila yung mga biktima. Lahat ng pwede nilang makuha ay kukunin at kukunin nila,” said Police Regional Office 3 director BGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones said.

(They will enter the house when the door is opened, then they will go inside and tie up the victims. They will take everything that they can.)

The group also known as “Gapos Gang” targeted on Wednesday a soft drinks warehouse. In a CCTV footage, one of the suspects was identified when his mask was lowered and his face was revealed.

The Bulacan police was able to track down and subsequently arrested the suspect, who turned out to be police officer.

He was identified as Police Staff Sergeant Miguel Andrew Oñate, 34, of Tanuan Police in Batangas.

The authorities recovered from the suspect a Caliber .45, ammunition, a fake gun, a bolt cutter, nine cellphone units, car license plate, and coins that were taken from the soft drinks warehouse.

The victims positively identified the suspect.

“Pag day off siya, doon gumagawa ng pangho-hold up kasama ang kanyang grupo,” said Peñones.

(On his day off, that's when he robs establishments with his group.)

According to the Bulacan Provincial Police Office, the suspect rents vehicles from Laguna and keeps the equipment they use to to rob establishments.

The suspect, who is facing various charges, declined to issue a statement. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News