KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/20 September) — Authorities in M’lang, North Cotabato arrested today along the Cotabato-Maguindanao highway three suspected motorcycle thieves believed to be responsible for a series of motorcycle thefts in the province.
The suspects now placed under the custody of M’lang police were identified as Rasti Liposin, Tonggal Endugay, and Saddam Sugaguil, all residents of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
Recovered from the suspects was a blue Kawasaki motorcycle they allegedly snatched from a motorist in nearby Kabacan town, also in North Cotabato.
Supt. Renante Delos Santos, chief of M’lang police, said the suspects were arrested a few hours after they conducted a highway inspection along Barangay Lankong in M’lang.
The three were onboard the Kawasaki motorcycle when police flagged them down along the highway, around 10 p.m. on Monday.
But instead of stopping they sped toward Tulunan town, North Cotabato, prompting the police to give chase.
Police Officer 3 Celvert Claudio said the suspects ran out of gas, and abandoned the vehicle and scampered to a grassy area, he said.
The police cordoned the area, especially the exit routes, and stayed there.
Around 6 a.m. today, the suspects emerged and were surprised to see that there were still police personnel around.
During the investigation, the suspects reportedly admitted their participation in the series of motorcycle thefts in North Cotabato.
The latest was last September 16 when they allegedly snatched a motorcycle in Kabacan.
Claudio said the suspects, including the recovered motorcycle, would be turned over anytime today to police in Kabacan where the latest theft took place.
Since January this year, at least 40 motorcycles have been stolen in North Cotabato. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)