The police arrested three suspected hold-uppers, including their alleged mastermind, about two hours after they waylaid and robbed at gunpoint the owner of a soft drink delivery truck in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Sunny Boy Bernus, Hinigaran police chief, yesterday identified the arrested suspects as Belmer Tilad, 23; Gil Andrino, 32; and Erlito Flores, 35,  of Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran.

Bernus said the arrest of the three also led to the recovery of a .38 caliber homemade revolver with four ammunition, a butcher’s knife, and P2,611 in cash.

However, their other companion, identified as Hermie Morales, managed to escape, he said.

The arrest of the three suspects came a day after the police also nabbed three members of a highly-organized crime group in Manapla, and recovered four high-powered guns.

Police investigations showed that the three flagged down and robbed at gunpoint the delivery truck owned and driven by Erwin Robles along the highway of Brgy. Bato, Hinigaran, at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Bernus said Tilad and Andrino tagged Flores, an employee of Robles, as the mastermind.

The Hinigaran police also recovered a 125 Honda tricycle from Tilad and Andrino, that they had used as a getaway vehicle.

Binalbagan and Hinigaran police served as blocking forces in the manhunt operations of the Hinigaran police that led to the apprehension of the suspects.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday commended the Manapla and Hinigaran policemen led by Senior Inspector Jose Laboyo and Bernus, for the arrest of six hold-up suspects.

The Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has recommended P80,000 bail for each of the suspects in Manapla identified as brothers Renante, Roger and Dino Belleza, who are now facing charges for illegal possession of firearms.

Ivan Gamboa, alias Ivan Ligaya of Cainta, Rizal, who managed to escape, when he and the Belleza brothers were recently intercepted at a police checkpoint in Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla, was also charged for illegal possession of firearms.

Laboyo said manhunt operations against Gamboa, who reportedly claims to be an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation, are ongoing.*GPB

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