PASIG CITY: Two armed robbers were arrested by the police shortly after they allegedly robbed the passengers of a jeepney Sunday night along Pasig Blvd. Brgy. Kapitolyo. Police identified the suspects as Jeffrey Glen Mendoza, 21, and Aljuno Alba, 24. Investigators disclosed that when the jeepney bound for Quiapo reached the San Roque Gate on Pasig Blvd., Alba pulled out a gun pistol while Mendoza, waving a knife, announced a holdup. Fearing for their lives, the jeepney passengers handed over their valuables, including cell phones, to the two holdup men. As they passed a taxi, the jeepney driver suddenly stopped the vehicle, catching the attention of the cab driver. This sent the suspected holdup men jumping out of the jeepney, prompting the passengers to shout for help. Policemen nearby immediately responded and chased the fleeing suspects, arresting them in no time at all. Recovered from the suspects were a .38 caliber gun, a knife and cell phones. Suspects are now detained at the Pasig police headquarters. (Anna Liza T. Villas)

PASAY CITY: A 26-year-old man who allegedly raped his high school textmate was arrested by the police during an entrapment operation yesterday morning. Sr. Supt. Rosendo Franco, Pasay police chief, identified the arrested suspect as Edilberto Ortega, a resident of 1548 Aviadores St., San Andres Bukid, Manila. The teenage victim’s mother, upon learning of her daughter’s ordeal, sent a text message to the suspect by using the name and phone of the girl, telling him to meet her near a fastfood restaurant along Roxas Boulevard. Thinking that the person texting him was the teenage textmate, the suspect readily agreed, unaware that it was already an entrapment operation set up with the help of the Pasay City police. (James I. Catapusan)

QUEZON CITY: A market porter was killed while a driver is now fighting for his life after they were stabbed by a delivery boy who ran amuck early yesterday morning. The Quezon City Police Criminal Investigation Division identified the fatality as Daniel Cunsina, 18, a stay-in porter at the MC Market in Balinggasan, Balintawak. Seriously injured was Alin Matuguinas, 26, of Duhat St., Malabon. The suspect was identified as Dennis Federizo, 22, of 24. F. Carlos St., Bgy. Baesa, Quezon City. Investigation showed that the incident happened around 12:35 a.m. at the MC Market. Witness Edwin Ramos was sleeping in his room on the third floor of the market when he was awakened by a rumble in the adjacent room. When he got up and opened the door of his room, he saw Cunsina clutching his bleeding chest. The victim then shouted, "Hayop ka, Dennis." The commotion caught the attention of the security guard, who immediately brought the two victims to the Quezon City General Hospital. Police later arrested Federizo. (Rico C. Navarro)

MANILA: Nine protesters who managed to get near Gate 7 of Malacañang were apprehended by members of the Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday. Charged with violation of BP 880, or Public Assembly Act, were Chester Amparo, Michael de la Cruz, Jonas Lopez, Eloy Escobar, Francisco Vergara, Joseph Inocando, Arman Rivera, Joey Estopin and Bobby de Guzman. SPO3 Elias Dimatera said the nine were apprehended for conducting a rally without a permit issued from City Hall.