3 arrested in P300,000 bounty hunt over pumping station robbery

Three of the six suspects who allegedly stole equipment from a pumping station in Cainta, Rizal at the height of Typhoon Uwan’s onslaught have been arrested, Mayor Keith Nieto said on Tuesday.

"Sabi ko sa inyo, tapusin ko lang bagyo, tutugusin ko kayo. Ngayon, hihingi kayo ng tawad na parang wala lang," Nieto said.

Nieto earlier offered a P300,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those behind the robbery.

"Tatlo na ang nasa loob. May tatlo pa akong pinapahanap. Pera ang hanap niyo. Nilaglag din kayo dahil sa pera," he added.

The robbery occurred on Saturday night, 8 November, at the pumping station in Park Place, Barangay San Isidro, while the local government was preparing for the typhoon.

Nieto said the suspects cut the steel matting, removed copper parts, and severed wiring, causing significant damage to the pumping station.

“Nakakagalit… P300,000 reward, personal kong pera, sa makapagtuturo ng gumawa nito… ‘di ko ‘to palalagpasin,” Nieto said.

"Salamat Col Lim. Salamat Cainta Intel.. Salamat Jun Daga. At sa lahat ng tumulong sa akin na madakip ito. Aasahan ko pa ang natitirang tatlo," the mayor added.

Nieto has also ordered the installation of closed-circuit television cameras at all pumping stations in the town to prevent similar incidents.