An emerging robbery group operating in Bataan, Olongapo and Zambales has been dismantled by operatives of Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 in Central Luzon.
In an interview on Wednesday, Central Luzon police chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said the recent operations against the group showed the value of sustained intelligence gathering and close coordination among police units.
“They are involved in some petty crimes before hanggang sa mabuo yung grupo nila then nag ooperate na sila (until their group is formed then they start operating) in the area of Bataan, Olongapo and Zambales,” he told reporters on the sidelines on the turnover of 48 new motorcycle units for the Unified 911 emergency response at the PRO3 Headquarters Camp Olivas, San Fernando City, Pampanga.
He said four suspects were arrested while seven firearms were seized during the search warrant and follow-up operations in Zambales last week.
“Our objective is to disrupt the capability of criminal groups before they can victimize more people. We will continue intelligence-driven operations to keep our communities safe,” Mendez said.
“It just started in Bataan. Now they are operating in Olongapo and some parts of Zambales. Who knows, if we did not catch it, they might have already reached Pampanga, Bulacan, or Tarlac, he added in Filipino.
The Central Luzon police chief warned would-be syndicates against illegal activities, citing intensified intelligence operations, monitoring, and police visibility across the region.
Mendez also said that they continue to monitor the group True Brown Style (TBS), which authorities have linked to convenience store robberies and other incidents of violence.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) also vowed to beef up its intelligence gathering and community coordination following information from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla regarding the presence of TBS in all local government units in Metro Manila.
NCRPO Officer-in-Charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano has directed all five police district commanders and concerned units to immediately strengthen intelligence gathering, validation, and coordination with local government units, barangay officials, schools, parents, and other community stakeholders to determine the possible presence and activities of TBS members in their respective areas of responsibility.
The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District, Quezon City Police District, Northern Police District, Southern Police District, and Eastern Police District.
