CCTV shows security guard "helped" robber

CEBU, Philippines - A pension house guard will face charges after he was caught on a security camera helping a robbery suspect escape in R. R. Landon St., Barangay Cogon-Ramos, Cebu City yesterday.

Meanwhile in another incident, two suspected robbers and the live-in partner of one of the suspects were arrested by the Consolacion police Monday evening in Barangay Pulpogan I, Consolacion after victimizing a dating couple.

In the Cebu City incident, Jemar Osabel, who claimed affiliation with Gesa Security Agency, is now detained after helping Michael Maricota, who earlier stole the mobile phone of an African dentistry student of Southwestern University.

PO2 Carlo Balasoto narrated that Shilo Bonya, 20, was walking while texting on her way to school at Visitacion St., Barangay Sambag Uno at 9 a.m. when a man onboard a motorcycle suddenly grabbed her blackberry phone.

Bonya struggled but she fell to the ground and the man, who was later identified as Maricota, sped off after finally stealing her phone. Witnesses in the area called the police.

Balasoto said they responded to the area and conducted a hot pursuit operation against the suspect who was seen speeding off towards downtown.

Through the description given, the police found the same motorcycle near the parking area of a pension house in R. R. Landon St. 

Balasoto said they saw Osabel manning the parking area, which prompted them to ask him if he would know the owner of the motorcycle. Osabel denied knowing who the owner was and added that the driver walked away.

Balasoto said they then decided to request from the management to check its security camera and the management heeded. A video footage showed Maricota parking the motorcycle and Osable approaching and talking with Maricota before the latter went to the back portion of a building while Osabel turned off the motorcycle’s engine.

Moments later, Maricota, who has been wearing a black jacket, took off the jacket and casually walked away from the area. With this, police arrested Osabel, who later admitted knowing Maricota. He said Maricota was a former security guard of Gesa Security Agency.

Balasota said they checked Maricota’s background at the security agency, which confirmed that the suspect worked there but was terminated last February because of complaints lodged against him.

The agency also claimed that Osabel is no longer assigned with their agency, saying that Osabel is illegally using his license with Gisa’s name on it.

Police are contemplating on filing charges of obstruction of justice against Osabel while they are now looking for Maricota. Bonya, on the other hand, was taken to the hospital for the bruises she sustained on her knees.

In Consolacion, suspected robbers Lito Juntilla, 25, and Rolando Estremos, 22, were arrested while Richel Plaza, 27 and live-in partner of Estremos, was also arrested after police recovered a silver necklace amounting P2,500 in her possession believed to have been owned by the victims.

Also recovered was another silver necklace worth P5,000, jacket worth P300, a pair of sunglasses worth P500, a wallet containing P250 cash, and a .357 revolver with five bullets and one empty shell.

Kent Montero, 26, and Marilyn Gallardo, were reportedly dating at the back portion of the Sta. Lucia Subdivision on board their motorcycle when the suspects passed by.

Juntilla pulled out a revolver and fired. Fortunately nobody was hit. He aimed the revolver at the victims, declaring a hold up so the victims surrendered their valuables.

As the suspects fled on foot, the victims ran to the police station.

Sr. Insp. Wilbert Parilla, Consolacion police chief, said they arrested Juntilla and Estremos at their house where the stolen items were recovered.

Juntilla was jailed at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center for four years for robbery. Estremos was also detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City also of robbery. They were released from jail this year. – (FREEMAN)