Manila: National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin on Monday said three armed men posing as cops were arrested in Binondo, Manila. Aberin reported that the trio was caught while traveling in a Mitsubishi Mirage, which was stopped by Manila Police District (MPD) operatives along Yuchengco St. near the corner of San Vicente St. early Monday morning at around 4:30 a.m.
According to Philippines News Agency, the police seized three handguns, a hand grenade, and two pairs of license plates with the numbers GH 343A and NKI 8327 from the suspects. During the inspection, two suspects were dressed in police patrol uniforms and claimed to be members of the police force, but they failed to provide valid identification or mission orders, Aberin noted.
One of the arrested suspects was identified as a former police officer who was dismissed from service in 2022. "Further investigation showed that the suspects are also linked to a robbery hold-up incident in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and that one of them is a person of interest in a murder case in Plaridel, Bulacan in 2024," Aberin added.
Authorities are now investigating whether the confiscated firearms were used in other criminal activities in the past. The suspects are facing multiple charges, including criminal, usurpation of authority, and violation of the election gun ban.
