Taiwanese robbery suspects fall

Operatives from the Makati City Police arrested two men on a motorcycle last Sunday after a pursuit operation stemming from the robbery of a Taiwanese national in Makati City on 8 February 2025.

Police identified the suspects as Raymund Santiago and John Robert Alay, who were positively pinpointed by witnesses as those who robbed the Taiwanese national at gunpoint and took his cellphone in front of Antel Corporate Center on Valero Access Road 3 in Barangay Bel-Air.

Makati Police chief Col. Jean dela Torre said the incident wasn’t immediately reported to police. Instead, a CCTV video of the robbery was posted on social media and quickly went viral. Police immediately launched a pursuit operation.

Around 5 a.m. on 9 February, patrolling officers spotted Santiago and Alay riding a motorcycle against traffic on Malugay Street, Barangay San Antonio. When officers signaled them to stop, the suspects fled, prompting a police pursuit.

The chase ended when the suspects lost control of their motorcycle and crashed. Alay then attempted to draw a firearm but was subdued.

Authorities said that the suspects yielded a .38-caliber revolver loaded with live ammunition, an improvised pen gun, a set of picklocks, pliers and other paraphernalia.

The Southern Police District said both suspects were taken to the Makati City Police Station’s Investigation and Detective Management Section for further questioning.

They face charges under Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in relation to the Omnibus Election Code, Article 304 of the Revised Penal Code (possession of picklocks and similar tools), robbery and disobedience to a person in authority.

Dela Torre urged the public to immediately report any criminal activity to the police instead of just posting it on social media.