Alleged brains of bigtime robbery group shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - The alleged mastermind of a bigtime Mindanao-based robbery group held responsible for a series of robberies in Cebu City was shot dead by unidentified men past 6 p.m. last Wednesday along Bonifacio Ext., barangay Aguada, Ozamiz City.

Jose Roy Sumingit Quimada, 34, of Kawit, Pagadian City, was on board his Honda CRV when he was shot dead near the Misamis University where he is a third year Law student.

Police in Cebu City, who are cooperating with the Ozamiz City police in the investigation, believe Quimada was shot dead by the same men who shot and killed Jeromy Polistico just last Friday outside the Cebu City jail a few minutes after he was released for posting bail.

Polistico is one of the suspects accused of pulling the P7.2-million foiled jewelry heist in Punta Princesa that was allegedly masterminded by Quimada.

Ozamiz City police chief Chief Insp. Wilbur Salaguste, in an interview over dySS, said Quimada just left the university in his car when three men peppered him with bullets immediately after he got out of the school gate.

Salaguste added that according to witnesses, the unidentified assailants, who were not even wearing bonnets, casually walked away after the shooting.

Police recovered 11 empty shells of an M16 rifle and two empty shells of .45 cal. pistol from the crime scene. They believe a shotgun was also used to shoot the victim.

Quimada was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Salaguste also said the victim has no negative record and his family has a good reputation there.

Cebu City police chief Patrocinio Comendador theorized Quimada’s killing is related to the foiled robbery.

“There is an ongoing internal struggle between the robbery group… They are blaming each other na siguro,” Comendador said.

It is also possible, the CCPO director said, that the group got mad at Quimada for leaving them after the foiled robbery. Comendador said Quimada perhaps no longer contacted the group in fears he may be arrested. The CCPO filed a robbery with homicide case against him which is non-bailable, Comendador said.

Sr. Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, chief of Theft and Robbery Section of CCPO, showed reporters the cellular phone of Polistico who sent a text message to Quimada after he was arrested that read: “Bai, kumusta na? Biyaan ra man lagi nimo imong mga kauban? May adlaw ra ka.”

The TRS filed a robbery case against Quimada after he was identified by a security guard of Fooda Saver’s Mart along General Maxilom Ave. as one of eight men who robbed the store of P1 million worth of coins from a vault.

Denying the accusations against him, Quimada then counter-filed a case for moral damages against Bastes, demanding the latter pay him P1.3 million.

Bastes said that Quimada, aside from the Food heist and foiled jewelry robbery, was also accused of masterminding the robbery of Oro Sugbo along Colon St., GP Dental Supply at Urgello St. and Aspac Bank robbery in Mandaue City.

Comendador said that Quimada’s death means the bigtime robbery group will not be organizing robberies for some time, but still the public should not take chances and always be vigilant. — Niña G. Sumacot/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)