Makati Mayor Nancy Binay commended the local police force Friday after officers intercepted a getaway vehicle and arrested three suspects, including a Chinese national, in a foiled P300,000 robbery.

“The safety of everyone residing, visiting, and working in Makati remains our priority,” Binay said in a statement. “I thank our Makati police for their prompt response that effectively saved the victims from serious harm and led to the arrest of three suspects.”

Reports disclosed that the incident occurred Thursday at approximately 7:55 p.m. along Amorsolo Street in Barangay Pio Del Pilar.

According to police reports, two victims met with the suspects inside a vehicle to complete a purchase of five high-end mobile phones.

During the transaction, the suspects allegedly attempted to flee with the buyers’ P300,000 cash and forcibly detained one victim inside the car.

The second victim pursued the vehicle on foot while shouting for assistance, alerting officers stationed at a nearby police post on the corner of Fernando Street and Chino Roces Avenue.

Responding officers from San Isidro Substation 3 intercepted a black Ford Territory and a silver Toyota Fortuner, arresting 27-year-old Chinese national Tang Lulu, 24-year-old Leif Harold Simbulan Senier, and 19-year-old James Ericc Padre Flores.

Additional accomplices escaped the scene.

During questioning, a female victim disclosed that one suspect pointed a firearm at her while falsely claiming to be a National Bureau of Investigation operative conducting an entrapment operation.

Police seized two loaded handguns, approximately 1.8 grams of suspected shabu valued at P12,240, drug paraphernalia, and the two vehicles used in the crime.

The three suspects face multiple criminal charges, including attempted robbery, illegal possession of firearms, drug possession, grave coercion and usurpation of authority.

Following the arrests, Binay urged the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to city hotlines or emergency services.