Another robber victimizing passengers of public utility jeepneys in the city was arrested by a rookie policeman who was onboard the same jeepney the suspect was about to rob yesterday dawn along New Imus Road in barangay Day-as.
Rodel Arsola, 30, a resident of sitio Itom-Yuta, barangay Lorega-San Miguel could have pulled it off successfully had it not for an off-duty field training program policeman, PO1 Ramon Chenel.
Chenel, assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, was on his way home when Arsola declared a holdup inside the jeepney.
SPO4 Filomeno Guinto of the Parian Police station told The FREEMAN that Arsola was about to rob fellow passengers identified as Rena Ramaguera, 21, of barangay Canduman, Mandaue City and Rheystell Llanos, 23, of barangay T. Padilla.
Guinto said Chenel who was seated at the back of the jeepney with a 13C route, plying Talamban from downtown area passing by New Imus Road noticed Arsola acting suspiciously.
Upon reaching the said area, Arsola drew out a knife and brandished the weapon at the two women while announcing a holdup. But Chenel immediately drew out his handgun and introduced himself as a policeman.
To Arsola’s surprise, he wasn’t able to resist when Chenel took away his knife. He was taken by Chenel to the police station.
This is the second time last week that a policeman onboard a jeepney chanced upon robbers who were about to rob passengers. It was noticed that in both cases, all would-be victims were female passengers.
Last Thursday afternoon, a suspected robber identified as Eddie Gabasa, 27, of barangay Binaliw ended up in jail after robbing fellow passenger Ann Margarette Noval of her cellphone.
Unknown to him, while he was poking his gun at Noval and divesting her cellphone, PO1 Remes Goco of the Mobile Patrol Group was also onboard the same vehicle and was just observing his moves.
When Gabasa alighted, Goco immediately disembarked and chased the suspect. The cop shot Gabasa in order to stop him after the suspect refused to obey to lawful callings.
The bullet only scratched Gabasa’s left leg. – Edwin Ian Melecio/MEEV