Robbers take P1.3 million in heist

Robbers took over P1.3 million from two men, who were transporting cash for a firm engaged in selling dental supplies, lending, and currency exchange.

The heist, which was estimated to have taken about five minutes, took place at the corner of Sanciangko and Leon Kilat Sts. around 10 a.m.

Bonifacio Dayapan, who works as a collector of GP Dental Supply located at Urgello St. in barangay Sambag II, along with Willy Gerenia, just came from the Banco de Oro branch at corner Plaridel and Magallanes Sts. when held up.

SPO2 Edgar Galado, the investigating officer, said that the victims were on their way back to their office when the incident happened.

The two reportedly withdrew P1,557,000 from the bank, but also deposited P200,000 of that into another account of the company before leaving the bank.

The P1.3 million was placed inside the tool box of the motorcycle under the seat while the P57,000 was put inside the bag of Dayapan, who was also driving the motorcycle.

The victims claimed that two men wearing bonnets under their helmets stopped right in front of them while they waited for the light to turn green at the intersection of Sanciangko and Leon Kilat Sts.

The man riding tandem went down the motorcycle and pointed a .45 caliber pistol at the chest of Dayapan demanding for his bag.

Not satisfied with taking only the bag, the robber allegedly asked for the key of the motorcycle and ordered Dayapan and Gerenia to get off the bike.

The robber then drove off with the motorcycle with plate number 7833-YI heading towards Panganiban St. with his partner following him on the other motorcycle.

Dayapan and Gerenia reportedly went to their office after the incident and from there reported the robbery to the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office.

Supt. Jonathan Abella, chief of City Intelligence Branch at the same time Officer-in-Charge of Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said that the victims reported the incident almost an hour after it happened.

The police investigator said that witnesses thought that the robbers were policemen, who confronted the victims.

Other witnesses also said that they noticed two men in the area, who they believe might have been there as look outs.

The two, one of them wearing a blue jacket and black pants, reportedly casually walked away after the robbery.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of CCPO, said that while they are looking at different angles on the incident, there is strong belief that this might have been an inside job.

However, Galado said that when the police went to clinic, the owner, Pamela Garshasbi, allegedly said that the police should not just quickly think that it was an inside job.

Comendador said that the robbers possibly reside near the office or know someone, who has knowledge that the two men would be withdrawing cash that day.

The CCPO Director said that the manner of the robbery does not speak that the suspects belong to an organized group.

The police will also check the record of the office as it has reportedly been robbed a couple of times several years ago. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)