The Taguig City government has commended the local police for their latest operation resulting in the arrest of two foreigners for alleged illegal possession of firearms, explosives and P70 million in counterfeit money.
Taguig Mayor Laarni Cayetano viewed the accomplishment as a “testament to our zero-tolerance policy for crimes.”
Arrested last Dec. 16 were Marcel Tezock Wenong, 38, and Patian Leboucan Achi, 40, both Cameroonian nationals.
Seized from the suspects were 15 bundles of counterfeit US dollar bills, four bundles of P1,000 bills, a cal. 38 revolver, five live bullets, a hand grenade, and three different identification cards, among others things.
Follow-up operation conducted by the Taguig Police in coordination with the Makati City police in the suspects’ residence resulted in the recovery of more counterfeit US dollar bills amounting to $1.35 million or P67.5 million, fake peso bills amounting to P2 million, for a total haul of bogus money at some P70 million.
“We at the Taguig Police take our job to serve and protect seriously. Criminals have absolutely no place in the city,” said Taguig police chief Col. Robert Baesa.
From Dec. 1 to 13, the Taguig police also seized more than P20 million worth of illegal drugs in separate police operations.
On Dec. 13, the police seized the biggest haul and arrested Basser Utto, 32, and Normina Datuan, 25, in a buy-bust operation along Pendatun Street corner Old Housing Street in Barangay Maharlika.
The local police also confiscated more than P347,000 worth of shabu in over 21 anti-drug operations, which also resulted in the arrest of at least 28 suspects.
An estimated P88,400 worth of shabu (13 grams) was seized from Johncliff Macapaz, 21, and Ruby Mendoza, 41, who were nabbed in another buy-bust operation on December 5, on General Santos Ave. in Barangay Lower Bicutan.
With the huge amounts of illegal drugs seized, authorities believe criminal gangs were involved, and they are now being dismantled by the Taguig Police.
Just recently, the Taguig Police arrested Nico Argamosa Parra, 18, Ruel Cayme Garcia, 31, and Michael Cuevas Blanca, 30, in a follow-up operation in Barangay New Lower Bicutan over a robbery at Alfamart on VP Cruz Street in Barangay Lower Bicutan the day before.
The suspects—believed to be members of an organized criminal syndicate—declared a robbery-holdup at gunpoint, and fled with P50,137.75 worth of stolen items.
With their arrest, Baesa said the robbery incidents in the southern part of Metro Manila and Cavite area were solved.
Baesa thanked Mayor Cayetano for her full support, noting that it further inspires the Taguig Police to continue performing their mandate.
He said the Taguig Police has further intensified its anti-crime operations in time for the holidays, in anticipation of criminals taking advantage of the busy season.
“Taguigeños can rest easy as the city police that has vowed to protect them continues to perform its mandate without any fear or favor,” Baesa added.