Police arrested one of nine suspects in the armed robbery of three gold traders along Andrews Avenue in Pasay City, where more than ₱6.7 million in cash and jewelry were taken late Tuesday night, January 21, 2026.

According to Pasay City Police Station, the incident happened at around 10:19 p.m. at BAC1-11 Street corner Andrews Avenue, Barangay 190, when the victims’ white Toyota Fortuner was boxed in by two vehicles — a black Toyota Fortuner and a white Toyota Innova.

Four masked, armed men reportedly disembarked and forcibly took control of the victims’ vehicle. Two of the victims — driver Jerwin Arandila and passenger Led Chua — managed to escape on foot, while the suspects drove away with Gemel Tiing Hock Wang and Hero Sumat y Oruno still inside the car.

Police said the victims were carrying ₱4.8 million in cash, ₱1 million worth of assorted gold jewelry belonging to Gemel Wang and ₱980,000 in cash belonging to Hero Sumat

A follow-up operation was immediately launched by the Baclaran Sub-Station in coordination with other Pasay CPS units. The Fortuner was later found abandoned at L. Francisco Street corner Tejero Street, Barangay 792, Sta. Ana, Manila, with Wang and Sumat safe, but the cash and jewelry gone.

The vehicle was intercepted by Manila Police District Station 6 and later turned over to Pasay CPS.

Meanwhile, investigators tracked a GPS device hidden in one of the victims’ bags, which led police to a private resort in Brgy. Pansol, Laguna early the next morning.

At 9:55 a.m. on January 22, police arrested John Raymart Hilario, 22, a resident of Pasay City, who was found alone at the resort. He was later positively identified by the victims as one of the robbers.

Recovered jewelry found in his possession were also positively identified by the victims.

Hilario disclosed the identities of his alleged accomplices, who remain at large:

• Ralph Christian Hilario, 24 (brother)

• Edmund De la Cruz

• Bianca De la Cruz

• Andrea Malinis

• Alias “Aljohn” (Taytay, Rizal)

• Alias “Bino” (Facundo St., Pasay)

• Alias “Bais” (Lipa, Batangas)

• Alias “Omay Miranda” / M.E. De La Cruz (Pasay)

Police also confirmed that the suspect vehicle’s plate number was misregistered, and requests for Skyway CCTV footage have been submitted to trace their route.

Hilario will face Robbery in Band before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office. A separate case for violation of RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) will be filed in Laguna, both through inquest proceedings.

Authorities are also investigating the possibility of an inside tipster, noting that the victims were also robbed in Taguig City in September 2025.

Hot pursuit operations against the remaining suspects are ongoing.