By Jennifer P. Rendon
Four individuals were apprehended following a high-speed chase with law enforcement early on the morning of March 5.
The police arrested Norito Dubria, 47, and John Langurayan, 37, both from Barangay Ambilay, Panit-an, Capiz; Romeo Parcon, 52, of Barangay Barasan, Pototan, Iloilo; and Ramil Caga, 36, of Barangay Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan.
Dubria, the owner of the vehicle used in the escape, and the three other suspects, purportedly construction workers, were cornered after their four accomplices managed to flee.
The pursuit initiated in Barangay Fatima, Jaro, Iloilo City and concluded in Barangay Tres, Pavia, Iloilo.
Major Eduardo Siacon, Jr., chief of Iloilo City Police Station 3, reported that the culprits drove into a dead-end and abandoned their moving vehicle, attempting to escape on foot through the woods.
The incident unfolded when Siacon, in his private car, observed approximately eight individuals, equipped like typical cable technicians, working at a PLDT manhole in Barangay Fatima, Jaro, at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
Given previous reports of fiber optic wire theft in the area, Siacon grew suspicious of their activity.
“I could not just approach them since I’m alone and driving a private vehicle. That’s why, I called a roving police car to respond to the area,” he said.
Upon noticing the police, the suspects hastily entered a red Suzuki multicab and fled at high speeds.
“They were running at high speed. That’s why, I called for another police vehicle to help us in running after them,” Siacon said.
Despite police attempts to intercept and issue warnings, the suspects rammed into a police vehicle and continued their flight until being trapped in Pavia town, where they dispersed.
Police managed to detain four suspects and seize their multicab (license plate JAF8793), which contained cable wire valued at P500,000, two heavy-duty cutters, and four traffic cones.
Siacon suspects that the group, based in Capiz province, might be part of a syndicate specializing in cable wire theft, potentially selling the stolen goods to telecom subcontractors.
He also believed that they might be the same individuals who previously eluded police after a similar theft last month.
The suspects now face charges for robbery, direct assault, and resistance and disobedience to an authority figure.
