By Jennifer P. Rendon
A motornapping incident on April 18 led to the arrest of four persons five days later.
Police identified the suspects as Rommel Robles, 26, of Barangay Canoan, Estancia, Iloilo; Ranjit Maga, 30, of Barangay Hipodromo, City Proper, Iloilo City; Joshua Corsino, 25, of Barangay Badiangan, Mina, Iloilo; and Corsino’s 16-year-old brother-in-law.
Lieutenant Rosana Montero, Iloilo City Police Station 1 deputy chief, said Robles and Maga allegedly stole the motorcycle owned by Job Misajon of Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz, Iloilo City.
Misajon claimed that he parked the motorcycle on Iznart St., City Proper. But when he returned, the motorcycle was already nowhere in sight.
Misajon reported the incident to ICPS1.
Five days later, he reported to the police that his motorcycle has reappeared. But this time, he saw it in Facebook’s Marketplace.
On the same day, police mounted a buy-bust operation against Corsino.
They agreed to meet at 7 p.m. on April 23 at the public plaza of New Lucena, Iloilo.
Corsino arrived with his 16-year-old brother-in-law around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. They were subsequently arrested.
Corsino later spilled that he bought the motorcycle from Robles and Maga for P18,000.
He initially paid P8,000 and promised to pay the balance once he could resell the motorcycle.
Once fully paid, Robles and Maga will issue a fake deed of sale and certificate of registration.
Montero said Corsino knew the motorcycle was stolen but he said it was purely business.
After their arrest, Corsino called Robles and Maga to meet him at Barangay Villa Anita, City Proper, Iloilo City.
The other two suspects were arrested at 8:54 p.m. of the same day.
Montero said Robles and Maga would be charged for violation of Republic Act 6539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.
Corsino and the minor will face a case for violation of Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979.
Montero believed that Robles and Maga are behind several other motornapping incidents in the city and province of Iloilo.
Robles had been accused of violation of RA 6539 after he also took a motorcycle parked at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral.
During a follow-up investigation, police arrested and seized an explosive in his possession.
However, both charges for RA 6539 and RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) against the suspect were dismissed.
On the other hand, Maga was accused for violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) after he was arrested in a buy-bust operation in August 2016.
However, the suspect was released from incarceration after availing of the plea-bargaining agreement.
