Another "cohort" falls in Minglanilla

CEBU, Philippines - Another person, who was also allegedly involved in a botched heist of a roving bank teller at a mall near Fuente Osmeña last year, fell to the hands of the authorities yesterday.

This latest arrest is the third the past four days in relation to the crime that took place in September 6 last year. 

Rolien Castro, 29, a native of Tudela, Misamis Occidental, was arrested by operatives of the Cebu City Police Office Intelligence Branch and the Investigation and Detective Management Branch in Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla, where he had been temporarily staying.

This latest arrest came three days after Merly Laguitao, 29, was picked up by the police last Friday afternoon in Tudela, Misamis Occidental. 

Before Laguitao, alleged robbery gang leader Junjun Cabando alias Dionisio Cabatingan was arrested last Thursday in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Castro was positively identified as the alleged look out when the robbery took place. He was also tagged as the one of those who fired at PO2 Elrich Catacutan and PO1 Roy Ceniza.Castro, Cabando and Laguitao have arrest warrants for frustrated murder in Ozamis City.

Information

Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, director of the CCPO, said Castro’s arrest stemmed from information from Laguitao during tactical interrogation.

Acting on the information, police then conducted the operation at a house rented by Castro’s sister in Barangay Pakigne.

Castro was on board his motorcycle when the police clamped down on him. He reportedly came from Barangay Lahug, Cebu City to bring his girlfriend home.

Positive ID

In a separate interview, PO2 Catacutan said that Castro was one of three look outs.

Catacutan, who was on his way to the Palace of Justice along with Ceniza, was the first to respond to the heist. 

The policeman said that he was outside the mall waiting for the robber, who was carrying the cash when Cabando shot him. He said that despite his injury he was able to see Castro clearly and also saw him fire his gun.

Castro has vehemently denied the allegations saying he was in Tudela, Misamis Occidental during the incident.He even claims to have witnesses to prove that he was in Tudela.

Getting even?

Castro added that Cabando and Laguitao are tagging him in the botched robbery because they want to get even with him after the complainant in a murder case against them dropped him.

“Kahibalo ko nga gipangita ko nila kay last month akong papa giadto sa balay hapit patya kay gusto nila apilon ko sa kaso pero nakig-settle man ko,” (I know they have been looking for me because last month they went to my father and they almost killed him since they want to include me in the case, but I settled with the complainant) Castro said.

According to the teary-eyed Laguitao, it was Castro who strafed their house in Tudela for unknown reasons. She also tagged him as the one who killed her cousin.

Laguitao, who is three months pregnant, said she could now release tensions because of the incident.

Not a driver

Catacutan also said that Cabando was not driving one of the getaway motorcycles, but instead rode pillion and served as look out.

He also said that Cabando was the one who shot him in the chest.

Cabando admitted involvement as driver of the get away motorcycle and said that he could not have fired at the policeman as it would be difficult to shoot while driving a motorcycle.

Cabando was hit in the buttocks during the chase, abandoned his getaway vehicle, and took a taxi to Mandaue City.

From Mandaue, he went to Compostela where he used to live and then fled Cebu by taking a motorized boat in Talisay City that took him to Bohol before he fled to Ozamis City. Three alleged robbers and two security guards died in that botched robbery.

The guards, who were killed, were identified as Lito Odag and Leofer Itac. They were the security detail of the armored car that was transporting the money to a currency exchange outlet inside the mall. The roving teller Lewin Surig was also hurt when he was shot at.

The three suspected robbers, who were killed after a brief chase with the police, were identified as Mario Dapitan, Melecio Quiapo, and Antonio Adelan.

Commitment order

Cabando has been committed to the Cebu City Jail.

The commitment order was issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Wilfredo Navarro, who was also the one who issued the warrant for Cabando’s arrest.

In the said order, Navarro directed the Cebu City Jail to take charge of Cabando and ensure his safety.

Cabando is scheduled to be arraigned on August 14. — with Mylen P. Manto/NLQ (FREEMAN)