4 "notorious robbers" arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Four well-known armed robbers were arrested in Talisay City last Thursday evening, breaking the series of unresolved robbery cases in our midst.

Eighteen-year-old Nigel Stefan was on his way to his home in Colon, Naga, southern Cebu on board a passenger jeepney shortly before midnight last Thursday, when a hold up was declared by four men who flagged them down near Tabunok, Talisay.

A man, later identified as Alexander Tantay, pointed a gun at Stefan, who was sitting at the rear portion of the jeepney. The robbers did not board the jeep but surrounded it instead as Tantay divested Stefan of his mobile phone worth P15,000, cash worth P5,200 and a gold necklace worth P2,000. 

Out of fear, the driver of the jeepney sped away from the robbers, who were left standing by the roadside.

Stefan went down in Minglanilla to ask help from an uncle. The two then boarded a motorcycle and went back to the area of the crime, to check if the robbers were still there.

Luckily for them, the four did not leave the area. So Stefan and his uncle proceeded to the Talisay Police Station to seek assistance.

Operatives of the Talisay City Police Station led by PO3 Arnold Damasco and PO1 Stephen Sefuesca boarded a taxi along with Stefan and his uncle.

There in Mananga 1, Tabunok, they found Tantay and the rest of the robbers, later identified as Jason Recta, 21, Ronel Roxay, 18 and Lovel Diaz, 18.

After the victim swore that those were the same men who robbed him, the police made the arrest. All were known robbers and have victimized many, but were not caught until now.

The police recovered Stefan’s mobile phone from Tantay’s pocket. The money and the necklace were no longer in the robbers’ possession.

Also, the police recovered one .38 caliber revolver with two live ammunitions and one empty shell from Tantay, one .38 caliber revolver with two live ammunitions from Roxay, one bladed weapon measuring 11 inches from Diaz, and another bladed weapon measuring 10 inches from Recta.

Suspects are now detained in Talisay Police Station and charges of robbery were filed against them.    (FREEMAN NEWS)