4 alleged 'on-call' akyat-bahay gang members arrested in Quezon, CamSur

Authorities arrested four of seven alleged members of an “on-call akyat bahay" (robbery) gang in separate operations in Quezon and Camarines Sur.

According to a report by John Consulta on "24 Oras Weekend," the suspects, who allegedly came from different areas in Luzon, were reportedly travelling to Bicol and other regions to carry out robberies.

Two of the suspects were arrested at a checkpoint in Gumaca after police flagged down a bus they had boarded. CCTV footage showed officers separating passengers before conducting an inspection.

Police said the two men were arrested after authorities found firearms inside a body bag carried by one of the passengers.

According to the Police Regional Office 4A, the two were among seven members of a robbery group involved in a break-in at a house in Libmanan on June 25.

The group allegedly stole more than P50,000 worth of cash, jewelry and gadgets. They also took an SUV, which was later recovered by authorities.

Police Brig. Gen. Hanzel Marantan, regional director of Calabarzon police, said the suspects abandoned their getaway vehicle and boarded a bus in an apparent attempt to evade arrest.

Authorities launched containment operations and set up checkpoints, which led to the arrests in Gumaca.

Investigators said the four arrested suspects were from Bacoor, Tanauan, Muntinlupa, and Cainta.

Police said the group was dubbed an “on-call” akyat-bahay gang because members allegedly coordinated through group chats and only assembled when they had identified targets in Bicol, Calabarzon, the National Capital Region, and Central Luzon.

Recovered from the suspects were a black SUV believed to have been used as a getaway vehicle, several paper bills including US dollars, a caliber .40 pistol, and a 9mm firearm.

Marantan said the recovered firearms would undergo forensic and ballistic examination to determine ownership and whether they were linked to other crimes.

Meanwhile, police in Libmanan arrested two more alleged members of the group after they were positively identified by the victims.

Authorities are still pursuing three other suspected members of the gang.—MCG, GMA News