Lawyer: 1 of rob suspects, scion of rich Mindanao family

s this a case of mistaken identity? One of the arrested suspects in the robbery of Asia Pacific Bank in Tabogon town belongs to a wealthy family in Mindanao, said lawyer Gloria Dalawampu yesterday.

Dalawampu, counsel of rob suspect Earl Allen Mondarte, said her client is the son of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Board member Ernesto Mondarte.

Dalawampu argued that considering the financial status of the Mondarte family, Earl Allen and his uncle Roy Quimada, the other arrested suspect, could not be involved in a robbery. "Di man tingali kinahanglan ni sila manulis (They don't need to rob)," she said.

Mondarte and Quimada were arrested at a checkpoint in San Remegio town, a few hours after the Asia Pacific Bank in nearby Tabogon was robbed. The two were later identified as alleged participants in the robbery.

The police also claimed they recovered from the two's possession part of the loot. But Dalawampu contested such claim saying the more than P20,000 cash recovered from the suspects does not necessarily meant it was stolen money.

Dalawampu also said Quimada is a businessman who could bring such amount anytime, and that he and Mondarte were on their way to a beach resort in San Remegio when arrested.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Vicente Loot however said that Quimada personally admitted that he was part of the six-man robbery group that struck the bank.

Quimada and Mondarte, temporarily detained at the Lapu-Lapu City jail, were taken to the provincial prosecutor's office yesterday for the filing of the charges against them.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Vicente Loot however assured that the case would be filed before the 36-hour reglamentary period of detention lapses today.

Four other suspects Junnard Saladaga, Richard Intoy and a certain Glen and Gemma will be included in the indictment.

Meanwhile, Governor Gwen Garcia yesterday said she planned to give cash reward to a "habal-habal" driver who reportedly helped the police in the arrest of the suspects, although the amount would depend on the extent of his participation.

Garcia also said she is willing to confer citations to San Remegio policemen who arrested the suspects, adding that she was happy that the Capitol-donated communication equipment became an effective and vital part in resolving the case. - Liv G. Campo, Fred P. Languido, and Norvie S. Misa