Army to help investigation of 2 PSG members nabbed for robbery

From the Philippine News Agency (May 24): Army to help investigation of 2 PSG members nabbed for robbery

Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang on Friday said that they will closely cooperate with police on the investigation on the two Presidential Security Group (PSG) members who were arrested for allegedly robbing an auto-detailing shop in Novaliches, Quezon City before dawn Thursday.

"We are not denying that they are members of the PA but this does not mean that we are turning a blind eye on their criminal actions. We will help and support the Philippine National Police in its ongoing investigation against them," Cabangbang said.

Part of the investigation will also determine whether the two have applied for an exemption to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed gun-ban.

Supt. Eleazar Matta, Quezon City Police District-Station 5 commander, earlier identified the suspects as Cpl. Bobby Ates, 25; and Sgt. Marvin Gaton, 31.

The two were arrested roughly an hour later when they were seen carrying firearms inside a KTV bar.

Matta said Streamline Auto Salon and Detailing Shop owner Richard Tubig and security guard Manolo Panotes were at the shop located at Barangay Lagro in Novaliches, Quezon City when Ates and Gaton, along with three other still unidentified suspects, entered around 12:00 a.m.

The suspects then handcuffed Tubig and hogtied Panotes. One of the suspects also whipped a pistol at Tubig’s head.Items mugged at gunpoint were a Sony Vios laptop worth P50,000; IPhone 4 worth P30,000; Ipad worth P15,000; a wedding ring worth P65,000; a driver’s license and a white Honda Civic which they subsequently used as their getaway vehicle.

Cabangbang said that a summary of the two's records showed that they have not been involved in any criminal cases and have combat medals.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=527519