Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
The Philippine National Police (PNP) stepped up visibility and follow-up operations under its Safer Cities Initiative after two robbery incidents hit convenience stores in San Juan, Batangas on April 15, 2026.
Police reports showed that unidentified suspects entered two establishments in Laiya Aplaya and Nagsaulay, taking cash before escaping on a motorcycle. No injuries were reported in the incidents.
Authorities immediately launched hot pursuit and dragnet operations in coordination with nearby units to track the suspects’ escape routes.
The chase led to a follow-up operation involving Tiaong police and the 1st Quezon Provincial Mobile Force Company, which resulted in an armed encounter in San Antonio, Quezon later that evening.
Police arrested a 24-year-old man from Calamba City after the encounter and placed him under the custody of Tiaong police.
Recovered from the suspect were a motorcycle, a .45 caliber pistol, a magazine loaded with ammunition, and a leather holster, authorities said.
The suspect was taken to a district hospital for treatment while forensic teams processed the scene, as investigators continued to determine possible links to the earlier robberies.
PNP leadership said operations would continue, with strengthened coordination and deployment aimed at preventing similar crimes and maintaining public safety in affected areas.
