CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A fugitive facing a string of criminal cases at various courts in Pampanga and elsewhere in Central Luzon was arrested Sunday by lawmen during raid on his hideout at Summerfield Homes, Barangay San Rafael, in the town of Mexico.
Chief Insp. Rommel Labalan, chief of the Pampanga Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), identified the suspect as Jerry Magsanoc Villota, 49, alleged leader of the Miranda Criminal Gang operating in areas around Region 3 (Central Luzon).
Sensing he was surrounded by lawmen, the suspect did not resist arrest and yielded a caliber .38 pistol. Residents in the community tipped-off the CIDG regarding the presence of the suspect who is known to be elusive.
The Miranda Criminal Gang, according to police records, is involved in gun-for-hire, robbery hold-up and other unlawful activities.
Armed with a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Celso Baguio of Gapan City Regional Trial Court (RTC), the policemen pounced on Villota past 6 p.m., at Block 4, Lot 48 of the subdivision.
Labalan said the search was carried out by CIDG operatives in the presence of barangay officials and other house occupants.
Aside from the handgun, the suspect also yielded 56 bullets and two cartridges for the .38 pistol.
Labalan said the suspect was brought to the City Prosecutors Office here for inquest proceedings, even as a charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition was being readied against him.