The long arm of the law finally caught up with two fugitives wanted by law enforcement authorities in Metro Manila for various criminal offenses.
Curiously, the suspects were collared on a simple case of not wearing the required helmets while riding in tandem aboard a motorcycle.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. identified the suspects as Allan Soriano, 23, a resident of Binondo; and Sir Sandricks Vipinosa, 41, of Tondo, both in Manila.
Nartatez Jr. said the suspects were nabbed on Gov. Pascual St. corner Nangka Road in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City last Wednesday afternoon.
The policemen flagged down and arrested Soriano and Vipinosa who both yielded unlicensed firearms in their possession.
“The two failed to present any documents allowing them to possess and carry firearms outside their residence, therefore, the police officers placed them under arrest,” Nartatez said.
Seized from the suspects were one .40-cal pistol loaded with five live ammunition; one .9mm pistol with four live ammunition, and one blue Suzuki motorcycle with registration plate 4312CU.
Initial investigation showed that both Soriano and Vipinosa were involved in a recent shooting incident at Gate 56, Area H, in Parola Compound, Binondo.
Soriano, who also used the alias Allan Ace Cabanayan, was found to have a string of criminal offenses, including a drug-related case filed in 2019, and murder and double murder cases in Manila and Caloocan.
He also has two pending warrants of arrest for murder issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branches 52 and 174.
Vipinosa, on the other hand, has a pending drug case filed in 2020.
The suspects are currently under the custody of the Malabon City police pending proper disposition.
Appropriate criminal complaints would be filed against the duo, police said.
Nartatez said the confiscation of firearms from the two suspects during a checkpoint operation “highlights the vigilance and commitment of the police force to ensure public safety.”
“We assure the public that we will continue our invigorated investigative process to determine the full extent of the circumstances against the involvement of these two male personalities in other murder cases in the region and the possibility of gun-for-hire activities,” he said.
