TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — Four people, including an active-duty Philippine Army corporal, were arrested in Quezon province after police linked them to the robbery of a DALI grocery store in Barangay Cabezas, Trece Martires City, Cavite, authorities said.
The robbery occurred on Sept. 23, 2026, when a man entered the DALI store and allegedly posed as a customer before approaching a cashier and pointing a short firearm at the employee.
The robber then allegedly took ₱131,000 from the store vault before fleeing in a Nissan Terrano with license plate NJF 7247, according to police reports cited by Philippine media.
Police initially reported that the incident happened in the early morning. Other reports placed the robbery at about 6:45 a.m.
Four arrested in Quezon
The investigation led police to Catanauan, Quezon, where four suspects were arrested at about 3:40 a.m. on Sept. 24 at a hotel in Barangay 8.
Those arrested were identified as Cpl. Michael Jude Villanueva Iglufas, assigned to the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division in Pili, Camarines Sur, and Christian Magsumbol Delacion, Michael Angelo Alvaro Catindig and Alberto Bautista.
Police said the operation followed information from a concerned citizen about armed men staying at the hotel. Intelligence personnel from the Catanauan Municipal Police Station verified the report before the operation was launched with other police units.
Firearms and vehicle recovered
Authorities said they recovered several firearms, ammunition and explosives during the operation, including an M16 rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, a Colt Super .38 revolver, magazines and ammunition.
Police also reported recovering two rifle grenades and two live rounds for an M203 grenade launcher.
The Nissan Terrano bearing plate number NJF 7247 was also recovered. Investigators said the vehicle matched the one reportedly used as the getaway vehicle in the Trece Martires robbery.
The arrests were carried out by personnel from the Catanauan and Mulanay police stations, the Quezon Provincial Intelligence Unit and provincial mobile force units.
PNP reviews other store robberies
Following the arrests, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police regional offices in Luzon to review recent robberies involving convenience and grocery stores to determine whether they could be connected to the group.
Police said the group was also being investigated in connection with other reported robberies involving stores in parts of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Pateros. These alleged links remain subject to police investigation.
The suspects are facing or are being prepared for charges involving robbery, as well as alleged violations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9516, concerning illegal possession of explosives.
The investigation into the Trece Martires robbery remains ongoing. Authorities have not indicated whether the entire ₱131,000 allegedly taken from the store has been recovered.
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