By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A 47-year-old man was arrested in Tondo after police identified him as the suspect in the alleged armed robbery of a café worker in Sampaloc, Manila, the Manila Police District’s Special Manila Reaction Team (S.Ma.R.T.) reported.
Rolando Cabigting y Binuya, alias “Lupin,” was apprehended at about 1:30 p.m. on September 6 along Antonio Rivera Street in Barangay 234, Zone 23, Tondo.
Police said the robbery was reported to have occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on September 5 along G. Tuazon Street in Sampaloc.
The 21-year-old complainant, a barista at OSS Café, told investigators that Cabigting allegedly approached her while she was on duty and introduced himself as a barangay member. He allegedly told her about a supposed clearing operation in front of the café.
When the victim went outside, the suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at her and threatened to kill her unless she surrendered her cellphone.
Police said the suspect took the victim’s iPhone 14, reportedly valued at ₱48,000, before fleeing the area.
A follow-up investigation by S.Ma.R.T. and personnel of MPD Station 4 subsequently led to the identification and arrest of Cabigting.
Police identified PSSg Ron Ely Galvez and PCpl Darwin Sabiaga of S.Ma.R.T., MPD, along with Pat Kerwin B. Silvestre and Pat Lykee Rose Guinauan of MPD-PS4, as the officers who carried out the apprehension.
The operation was led by PLT Ryan O. Valenzuela under the supervision of PLTCOL Cicero M. Pura, chief of S.Ma.R.T. MPD personnel from Station 4 also participated in the operation under the leadership of PLT Christopher Nogoy, Gulod PCP commander, and the supervision of PLTCOL Bryan B. Sagayadoro, station commander of MPD-PS4.
Authorities recovered the alleged stolen iPhone 14, which the complainant positively identified as her property. Police also seized an improvised firearm described as a “pen gun” and one 9mm live ammunition.
Cabigting is facing complaints for robbery under Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code and an alleged violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Police said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights under Republic Act 7438 in Tagalog, a language he understood, but chose to remain silent.
He was subsequently brought to Justice Jose Abad Santos Hospital for medico-legal examination.
The police said the complaint was being prepared for inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.
ia/xf
