CEBU, Philippines - Four robbers were arrested after they preyed on a woman in Danao City while six persons were robbed in Alcoy town during the observance of the Holy Week.
Danao City police arrested Christian Mabuso Saladaga, 22, store helper, a resident of Barangay Looc; Romeo Gianco, 23, a security guard of Versatile Security Agency; Garry Jayme Morre, 22, resident of Barangay Poblacion and Jonetly Almerez Montes, 24, a Gaisano employee. They were nabbed in Sitio Langub, Barangay Guinacot after they were positively identified by their victim, Nicanora Doroy.
Recovered from Saladaga’s position was a .357 homemade revolver with six live ammunitions, from Gianco was a .22 revolver with two live ammunition, Morre a caliber .22 homemade gun with two live ammunitions and from Montes a motorcycle that was allegedly used as get away vehicle and one caliber .22 homemade gun with two live ammunition placed inside the tool box of the said motorcycle.
Doroy claimed she was on her way home after collecting money as payment for the tickets she sold when one of the suspects, who were on board a motorcycle, snatched her bag.
During a follow up operation, police were able to locate the hideout of the suspects together with the victim, who positively identified the motorcycle that was used by the suspects during the robbery.
The suspects are now detained at Danao City police detention cell while waiting for the robbery and violation of the Comelec gun ban charges to be filed against them.
Meanwhile, six friends, who were having their Lenten vacation, were robbed by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Pasol, Alcoy.
Police said the victims were Karen Empleo, 26, a staff of Ken Taxi company and resident of Talisay City; Giovanni Abos, 27, call center agent, a resident of Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City; Kenny Rosal, 27, Mepza worker, a resident of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City; Chris Kerwin Pabuaya, 24, a resident of Pit-os Talamban, Cebu City and James Ferenal, 27, a sales executive of Nestle Phils., resident of Cebu City.
The victims told police that they were staying in a rented room located at Delos Santos compound for Holy Week vacation.
At around 10:30 p.m., the victims said they went to Bodos Bamboo Bar situated about 200 meters away from their renter room to have some fun and picture taking. But when they were on their way back to their rented room, two men, who were riding a motorcycle and wearing shades, suddenly blocked their way and pointed a handgun at them and declared a hold up.
Because of fear, the victims directly gave their personal belongings that include two Samsung cell phones worth P26,000; Sony Ericsson cell phone worth P20,000 and Olympus digital camera worth P20,000 to the robbers who immediately fled on board Honda motorcycle with plate numbers 4668-GI.
Police personnel conducted a follow-up operation and recovered the Honda TMX-155 abandoned by the suspects at the back of the house owned by one Simeon Iligan.
Further investigation is also being conducted to confirm reports that two suspects abandoned the motorcycle and boarded a tricycle towards Barangay Poblacion, Dalaguete. — Lesley Caminade of Banat News/WAB (THE FREEMAN)