Victims point to 2 men as robbers

CEBU, Philippines – Some people in Talisay City have positively identified two men who were arrested last Wednesday night as those who had robbed them.

Nathaniel Dela Peña, 52, of BF Homes Subdivision, barangay Upper Mohon, Talisay City and Zaiberth Nazareth, 38, resident of Palm View Village, barangay Tabunok pointed to Jeffrey Paran, 30, as one of two men who them up earlier.

Nazareth told the police that Paran along with another companion pointed a gun at him last October 26 in front of his house.

Elain Ocampo, 40, a resident of Lemon Ville, barangay Cansojong of the same city also identified one of the seized motorcycles from the suspects last Thursday as the one allegedly used when they robbed her recently.

Dela Peña, Nazareth, and Ocampo recovered their things which were among those seized by the police from the suspects' hiding place in barangay Langtad, Naga City, the other day.

The police located the suspects' hiding place while chasing Paran.

Only his accomplice, Johnly Abangan, after being hit in the abdomen by PO1 Jessieben Gumandal, was arrested.

The suspects' plan to grab Myla Bariquiot's pouch bag which contained at least P22,000 and two ATM cards was foiled after Gumandal, who was roving on foot at that time in a crime-infested area of sitio Mananga, Tabunok, noticed a commotion inside a multicab.

When Gumandal arrived in the area, Abangan already had Bariquiot's belongings and was again on board a waiting motorcycle.

Abangan allegedly saw the policeman and attempted to draw his .38 caliber revolver from his waist, but Gumandal beat him to the draw and shot Abangan, hitting him in the abdomen.

With Abangan already down, Paran drove away.

Chief of police Supt Henry Binas said the two men were involved in other robbery-related incidents in Talisay, among their latest victim was a gasoline station.

Meanwhile, police charged Paran and Abangan with robbery holdup.

Abangan faces another case for violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban.

Biñas said more criminal cases will be lodged against the two men after all victims shall have executed their affidavits. (FREEMAN)