THE series of passenger jeepney robberies in Bgy. Minuyan Proper, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, wherein the son of this reporter was among the victims, have been solved with the arrest of one of the hold-up men and the filing of cases of four others – thanks to the round-the-clock police operations and posting jobs right at the area where the suspects usually exit.

According to Police Community Precinct (PCP) 5 Commander Chief Sergeant Edsel Israel, employing the said strategy and proper coordination with the team of Bgy. Captain Jerry Matias paid off as they anticipated that the group may stage yet another robbery.

True enough, three hold-up men struck Sunday night.

Alert village watchmen or the so-called police force multipliers assigned to post at the vegetable plantation area near Best Link Colleges noticed a commotion inside a passenger jeepney around 8:00 p.m. last Sunday.

A saleslady of SM supermarket (name not mentioned for security purposes) has been held up by three men who then exited at the same place, not knowing that authorities were “planted” in the area this time.

“May ‘nakabaon’ na tayong tao dun, …yung mga bataan ni Kap. Matias ang naka-assign nung gabi na yun,” Israel said.

After a brief chase, one of the suspects was arrested while the two were able to escape.

The SJDM Public Information Office, in its post, identified the robber as Ronald Brigola, 20, of Sitio Gulod, Road 2, Minuyan Proper.

Brigola was armed with an improvised gun with a bullet of a .45 pistol.

Israel said that Brigola, in the course of the investigation, identified his two cohorts. Charges were also filed against them.

Prior to the arrest, Israel said that on orders of SJDM Police Chief P/Lt. Col. Allan Palomo, he and his men, conducted night operations and patiently waited for the time when robbers struck anew.

Israel said he met with Kap Matias and his tanods to strategize how the job would be done.

With a little patience and luck, Israel said the ploy paid off.

Weeks before the Sunday’s heist, Lloyd Jewel dela Torre, son of this reporter, was also held-up around 10:00 p.m. and lost his Oppo cellphone to a knife-wielding suspect.

Like other hold-up incidents, the suspects also alighted near Best Link Colleges, exited at the grassy veggie area, and disappeared.

The passenger jeepney driver was able to identify the suspects at the police gallery of criminals.

Israel said charges were already filed against the two suspects (names withheld) as manhunt operations are ongoing against them.

“Makukuha rin natin yang mga yan,” Israel told this writer in the phone yesterday.