Police arrested an armed robbery suspect Tuesday afternoon following a pursuit operation in Quezon, Isabela, shortly after a Pakistani national and his Filipino partner were robbed in a public area, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.
The incident occurred at around 4:20 p.m. on January 13 in Barangay Arellano, Quezon town.
PNP said the victims had just alighted from their vehicle to buy a mobile phone load when an armed man approached and pointed a firearm at the Pakistani national.
The suspect reportedly forced open the vehicle and took a bag containing jewelry, personal documents, and foreign currency amounting to 7,000 dirhams before fleeing.
Personnel of the Quezon Municipal Police Station responded to the report, conducted an initial investigation, and issued a flash alarm to nearby police units.
With the assistance of barangay officials and joint elements from the Quezon MPS, Mallig Police Station, Isabela Police Intelligence Unit, the 1st Isabela Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 2, police tracked down and arrested an adult male suspect at around 5:15 p.m. the same day.
Crime scene processing was conducted with assistance from the Provincial Forensic Unit in Roxas, Isabela.
PNP Acting Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the police would pursue cases involving threats to public safety.
The suspect is now in police custody while charges are being prepared.
The victims were reported safe following the incident.