Identity of carnapping suspect puzzles PNP

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
April 4, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The identity of a carnapping suspect seems to puzzle the Philippine National Police (PNP).

As Samar Police Provincial Office started to crack down on carnapping, it was able to neutralize a suspected carnapper (though unidentified yet) in Barangay Lacerdoni, Tarangnan, Samar on April 1, 2008.

Based on a spot report by the Samar PPO, the combined elements of Catbalogan City PNP and Samar PPO responded to the police assistance sought by one Pilar Totanes, manager of Cinemar Traders in Catbalogan City that a suspected carnapper was sighted in Barangay San Vicente, Catbalogan City.

Police closed in on the suspect who was on board the carnapped motorcycle operating as habal habal.

Team leader SPO4 Ely Tamayo urged the suspect to yield but instead drove off his motorcycle bumping one PO2 Pedrito Albat. The impact caused the suspect to fall to the ground; he then scampered off to elude arrest. The PNP team pursued him.

A member of the arresting team, PO2 Juanito Malabarbas managed to corner him, but the suspect engaged the officer in a scuffle. The PNP officer while about to be overpowered managed to fire his issued 9 MM pistol hitting the suspect.

The wounded suspect was brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital (SPH) but was pronounced dead on arrival (DOA).

As the PNP tried to sort out personal belongings that may yield to his identity, they recovered three community tax certificates bearing the names: Sanny Charles Labong, Norie Balasbas and Sonny Ladeza. Another document found was a baptismal certificate in the name of Marvin Gabiana and Cinemar raffle tickets.

Earlier, Maritess Mabignay from Barangay Casandig, Paranas reported that the motocycle she bought on installment from Cinemar traders was carnapped in Paranas and her husband Gerry Agrade was killed then.

Police found the chassis number of the lost motorcycle matching the one used by the suspect.