Jeepney robbery has become more aggressive these days, as robbers no longer spare anyone, including the driver.
Past 10 p.m. Saturday, all eight passengers and the driver of a jeepney plying the 13C route were divested of their belongings in New Imus Road, barangay T. Padilla. The jeepney came from Colon and was on its way to Talamban.
The passengers, mostly women, were forced to hand their belongings over to the robbers after they were threatened with pointed weapons. The driver, Johnny Purudiang, 39, of barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela was also left with no choice but to turn over his P800 in earnings.
Authorities said the heist was very daring because in the past, robbers usually just victimize those nearest them and usually implement their plan near the jeepney’s entrance for easy disembarkation.
During the incident, however, the robbers were aggressive enough not to spare anyone. They reportedly disembarked from the vehicle at F. Villa Street in barangay T. Padilla.
Police identified the victims as Fritz Tiffany Ocieres, 18, of barangay Tipolo Mandaue, who was divested of her cell phone worth P4,000; Ziara Piquero, 17, of Ponce Capitol Hills in barangay Capitol Site who lost her cell phone worth P2,000; Philip Francis Capala, 17, of barangay Poblacion Talisay City who also lost his cell phone worth P6,700.
Meanwhile, Arland Mancao, 27, of barangay Poblacion Talisay City was robbed off his cellphone worth P2,300 and a silver necklace worth P700; Maristela Ariel, 19, of barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City was robbed off her cellphone worth P3,000; Chinlee Mancao, 21, of Sanciangko St., Cebu City was divested of her cellphone worth P8,000; and Kathlene Andaya, 17, of Nasipit road in barangay Talamban was robbed off her shoulder bag, which contained important documents and a wallet with undetermined amount of cash.
The police continue to investigate the incident to identify the robbers whom they believe residents in the area where the robbery took place. — Edwin Ian Melecio/JMO