IN a series of anti-criminality operations conducted across Manila early Wednesday morning, September 30, officers from various police stations under the Manila Police District (MPD) apprehended four suspects involved in separate drug, theft, and illegal gambling incidents.
The first arrest took place in Tondo around 12:20 AM, when personnel from Raxabago Police Station (PS-1) arrested 36-year-old alias Melvin following a house break-in.
A 15-year-old student returning from a nearby store spotted the suspect exiting his home carrying his smartphone.
The teenager alerted his mother and pursued the suspect while calling for help.
Alert bystanders blocked and pinned alias Melvin to the ground in Barangay 103 until officers from the Smokey Mountain Police Community Precinct arrived.
Police recovered the victim’s phone, valued at ₱13,990. The suspect faces theft charges under Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code.
Later that morning, at approximately 1:45 AM, operatives from the Sta. Mesa Police Station (PS-8) Station Drug Enforcement Unit executed a coordinated buy-bust operation along Lubiran Street in Barangay 619.
Police arrested alias Rovin, 34, a jeepney driver from Sta. Ana, after he allegedly sold suspected shabu to an undercover operative.
Authorities seized two plastic sachets containing roughly 2.04 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱13,872, alongside the marked ₱500 bill used in the operation.
Rovin faces charges for the sale and possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165.
Shortly after, around 2:00 AM, foot patrol officers from the Ermita Police Station (PS-5) caught two 18-year-old suspects, alias Amir and alias Rolando, allegedly participating in an illegal street-gambling game (cara y cruz) along Maria Orosa Street fronting the NBI Building.
Upon apprehending the duo, officers confiscated ₱253 in gambling bets. A body search further yielded an improvised firearm (“pen gun”) loaded with a live 9mm round.
Both suspects face charges for illegal gambling (Presidential Decree 1602) and firearms violations (Republic Act 10591).
All four suspects underwent mandatory medical evaluations and remain in police custody while corresponding cases are prepared for filing with the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.
