The Theft and Robbery Section filed a case of robbery with physical injuries against three members of the Barangay Intelligence Network after they allegedly took forcibly the wristwatch and bracelet of two men they spotted playing video karera in barangay Calamba, Cebu City last April 11.
The three BINs who were recruited by SPO2 Venancio Abella were identified as Rogelio Badiang, Crescente Ricaplaza and Rey Bayabado. All are of legal ages and are residents of barangay Pardo.
The affidavits of couple Ricky Niala and Marjorie Salve read that last April 11, they together with a friend named Eduardo Lendio were playing video karera at corner A. Lopez-Katipunan street in barangay Calamba when the three BIN members appeared.
With no provocation on the part of Niala and Lendio, Ricaplaza allegedly forcibly handcuffed the two while Bayabado grabbed and took away Niala's Seiko Divers watch worth P7,500 and Lendio's silver bracelet. Badiang reportedly poked an undetermined caliber of firearm at Niala.
After the suspects divested the two of their belongings, they allegedly threatened them at gunpoint and ordered them to board in a yellow multicab bearing no plate number. The two were reportedly taken to an area at the South Road Properties.
But as Niala returned home, he reportedly already sustained contusions, abrasions and physical injuries on the different parts of his body. This prompted the two to report the incident to the San Nicolas Police Station.
Last April 20, the two went to the office of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch and were able to identify the three suspects based on the photographs shown them by TRS chief Alexis Relado.
Relado handed over to them the wristwatch that was turned over to him by Badiang.
When the suspects learned that the two already sought police assistance, all three reportedly failed to report for duty at the TRS where they are tasked to conduct daily checkpoints.
Relado yesterday said that when the suspects learned about the complaints, they're already nowhere to be found.
He said he initiated the filing of the case against the suspects, as he won't tolerate the illegal activities of BIN members. And so that the incident will serve as an example to other BINs that they will not be spared once they have committed an offense.
He said that there are about 800 BINs under the TRS. For the meantime, they are tasked to conduct checkpoints. After the elections, the performance of the BINs will be reassessed. They will be required to undergo a reorientation, he said. -Flor Z. Perolina/MEEV