MANILA — Police arrested four men wearing ride-hailing service uniforms for robbery-holdup shortly before midnight Thursday, May 29, at a business area in Makati City.

The arrest took place in Barangay Bel-Air after a male vendor from Gen. Luna Street, Makati, reported the incident to police officers stationed at the Police Assistance Desk (PAD) at the corner of Leviste and Gallardo Streets.

According to the 29-year-old complainant, he was held at gunpoint by four men—one wearing the uniform of a ride-hailing company, while the others wore black shirts. The suspects, riding two motorcycles, took his phone and other personal belongings before fleeing the scene.

Responding officers launched a hot pursuit operation and later spotted the suspects along Valero Street. When the suspects attempted to escape, a brief chase ensued, leading to their arrest near Sedeño Street.

“Kagabi po, ang nangyari ay umiikot-ikot muna sila, sir. ‘Yong isang motor na magka-angkas muna, sir, ikot-ikot muna sa area, sir—sa may Dela Costa actually. So, magkahiwalay sila. Pero ‘yong distansya nila, sir, mga 200 meters. So, makikita mo, sir, tapos, sir, magtatabi and then iikot uli. Talagang tumitingin sila,” Makati acting police chief Col. Jean Dela Torre said in a media briefing.

“Nakaabang din sila, sir, sa mga lalabas sa mga building at ‘yong mga nago-overtime, sir, ‘yan ang mga targets nila,” she added.

Recovered from the suspects were the victim’s stolen smartphone, a .38 caliber revolver with a defaced serial number, a replica pistol, several rounds of live ammunition, and a fragmentation grenade—evidence police say points to the suspects’ readiness for violence.

Authorities also confiscated a bladed weapon, various motorcycle accessories, and uniforms from two ride-hailing companies, which were allegedly used to disguise their criminal activities. The two motorcycles used in the robbery were impounded.

Police identified the suspects as members of the Batang City Jail gang. Some have prior records of theft and robbery, while others face charges related to illegal drugs and gambling.

Investigators believe the group may be involved in a string of similar crimes in Makati City, where suspects posed as ride-hailing drivers to deceive victims.

“It appears na itong apat na ‘to, ang plano talaga ay magpunta sila sa BGC,” said National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.

“Maituturing natin na talaga naman na based doon sa background nila is dati na nilang gawain ito. So, with the arrest of this four, we are convinced na may mga previous pang ginawa sila.”

Southern Police District Brig. Gen. Joseph Arguelles believed that are also other robbery groups operating, particularly in business districts, that need to be dismantled.

“Doon sa BGC, mas binibigyan natin ng atensyon kasi mostly kasi may mga foreigner tayo diyan kahit wee hours of the night, may mga naglalakad na foreigners. So, ang ginawa nating deployment diyan, hindi lang mga naka-uniporme, may mga covert operatives tayo na naka-deploy diyan na talaga namang ito lang ang tinututukan nila, ‘yong mga motorcycle-riding criminals,” he said.

The suspects are now in custody and will face appropriate charges as investigations continue.

Riding-in-tandem binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyang nakaparada, ninakaw ang bag ng pasahero