Suspects in Fuente robbery charged

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office recommended no bail against alleged members of an Mindanao-based gang who took away P1.2 million from the China Banking Corporation last year.

Prosecutor Rodulph Joseph Val Carrillo charged Junjun Cabando alias Dionisio Cabatingan Cabando and three unidentified others, all residents of Purok 1, Cogon, Ozamis City with robbery with homicide.

Carrillo elevated the charges against the respondents in court after the four failed to submit counter-affidavits to controvert the allegations against them.

“Subpoena was mailed to respondents on 7 October 2011, however, to date, no evidence has been submitted in their behalf. From the foregoing, the undersigned submits that there exists probable cause to charge respondents,” the joint resolution reads.

However, Carrillo said the three unidentified accused will be prosecuted separately once they are identified and arrested.

The incident happened on September 5, 2011 at around 9:30 a.m. inside a mall at Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City. The suspects had taken away the money that was being brought by Lewin Daye Surig, an employee of the bank.

Surig identified Cabando as the one who blocked him and pointed a gun at him when he was about to deliver P1.2 million to a money changer outlet. Cabando then shot him on the thigh before taking the money bag away.

Surig and security guard Lito Odag were brought to the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds but Odag died later.

Rolando Biacolo, a witness to the incident, said he saw four people on board two motorcycles arrive in front of the mall and three others approached them later.

“Three persons from the group went to the sidewalk and stood as if waiting for someone. Two others went to the basement of the mall while the remaining two remained,” he said.

He reportedly saw Surig head to the mall’s basement with the money bag, but minutes later, he heard a gunshot and a security guard, identified later as Leofer Etac, slumped to the ground. He then saw two men, one of whom bringing the money bag, come out of the basement and head toward a parked motorcycle.

The accused also allegedly fired at a patrol car. Three accused reportedly positioned themselves on the sidewalk, as four others left on board the two motorcycles. – (FREEMAN)