Authorities "arrested" three men allegedly linked to Pasil rob

Authorities yesterday took into custody three more men who were allegedly indirect participants in the robbery of a fish dealer-couple, Francisco Gracia Jr and wife Bernadeth, in barangay Pasil Friday morning.

Chief Inspector Ambrosio Ibones, chief of the City Police theft and robbery section, identified the three as Julius Damgo, 25, of Inuburan, Naga town ; Ricky Prete, 29, a temporary resident of San Fernando town; and Magdalino Tulin, a cabbie.

The three underwent interrogation yesterday although the police did not issue complete details about their "arrest."

Police said Damgo, of Damayan in Pagadian City, was taken in because he allegedly owned the Honda XRM yellow motorcycle, with plate number IM-4201 that was earlier reported as YM-4281, which the robbers used in their escape.

Prete, from Mahayag in Zamboanga del Sur, was the one who allegedly contacted Damgo and Tulin about using the motorcycle and the taxi. It was not clear however if the two knew about the plan to rob the couple.

Tulin, of Pagadian City, allegedly drove the taxi that the two escaping robbers used as the second get-away vehicle. The motorcycle was later driven allegedly by Prete and Damgo to another place.

Getting the three men were part of the police quest to pin down not only the actual robbers but also the people supplying the funds and arms for the crime.

Suba chief tanod Michael Yburan and some policemen arrested Jessie Sta. Ana, one of three men who allegedly robbed the couple of P125,000 cash at corner Concepcion and Garfield Streets in barangay Suba.

Sta. Ana's two companions-named only as Roger and Nonoy (or Yonon, as earlier reported)-escaped with the money but later in the afternoon that day, Hermigildo Golez, a taxi operator from barangay Labangon, was invited for questioning.

Golez was later put under arrest when the police learned that he allegedly supplied the robbers with the handguns. He had since then refused to comment on the allegations.

Sta. Ana told reporters that he got angry and confused when Roger and Nonoy pushed him off the motorcycle, they were riding, and left him to be arrested. This contravened previous reports that he alighted the motorcycle to confuse the pursuing tanod.

"Gihulog ko ni Roger kay gamay man ang motor, nisakay nalang ko og trak (PUJ)," Sta. Ana said who admitted being a tyro in the city and did not know that the jeepney he took would pass by the place where they robbed the couple.

The day before the robbery, Sta. Ana said Roger and Nonoy asked him to go with them to Pasil Market. He was not told they were going to rob somebody but he admitted Roger gave him a .45 caliber gun and was able to participate in the robbery a few minutes after.

The link of Golez to the crime was that he allegedly brought the guns to the house of Sta. Ana's sister in sito Zapatera, barangay Luz where Sta. Ana, Roger and Nonoy were staying since August 23.

Sta. Ana added that few days after they have arrived Cebu from Zamboanga last August 23, another couple--he only knew as Mikay and Cecil-came and introduced themselves as friends of Roger and Nonoy and were also looking for a place to stay in Cebu City.

Sta. Ana said Mikay and Cecil, and Roger and Nonoy since then always leave the house and return late at night. He further said he saw them talking to Golez Thursday night when the guns were delivered to the house. - Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE