2 arrested for taking store's earnings

CEBU, Philippines - Two people were arrested after victimizing a store owner in Barangay Poblacion, Asturias, last Wednesday afternoon, while an octogenarian was robbed by an alleged councilman from Leyte and another man yesterday morning in Tabogon town.

The suspects in the Asturias incident were identified as Beatriz Padigos, 66, a resident of Barangay Bato, Toledo City; and Junrey David, of Candulawan, Talisay City. Three of their accomplices were able to escape.

The suspects stole the bag with P5,000 cash from Loreta España, 49, who owns the store selling rice and other dried goods.

PO2 Cesar Climaco of the Asturias Police Station said España was tending her store together with her female helper around 4 p.m. when four of the suspects came and posed as customers.

The victim said each of the suspects started asking for the amount of certain goods and the helper got confused who to entertain first prompting España, who served as the cashier, to approach and assist them.

While they were talking, one of the suspects went to the table in the cashier’s booth and took the bag of España that contained the day’s earnings.

The suspects then left one by one.

The victim eventually noticed her bag was missing, noticed the “customers” leaving and rushed outside shouting for help. Three of the suspects were able to escape in a car driven by a waiting man but Padigos and David were left behind and seized by neighbors.

The police later came and took them into custody. They refused to name their accomplices.

Witnesses said the car was white and the numbers of its license plate were 501.

Police are now preparing charges against the arrested suspects as they are tracking down those who were able to escape. 

Meanwhile, a man who claimed to be a Leyte councilman and his companion were arrested after they allegedly robbed an octogenarian yesterday around 9 a.m. in Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon.

The two suspects were identified as Jemilito Andojar, 46, allegedly a councilman in Palompon, Leyte, and Jerry Gil, 36, of North Poblacion, Naga City.

PO2 Ronnie Alivio of the Tabogon Police said Matias Villacastin Layagi, 89, a resident of the said place, said he was robbed by two men on a black Suzuki motorcycle with license plate numbers 2619HJ and forcibly took his diamond ring cost P5,000.

A neighbor of the victim alerted policemen of the Sogod Police Station and they immediately apprehended the suspects fleeing on their motorcycle.

Sogod police chief Insp. Aldrin Villacampa said Andojar claimed to be a councilman in Palompon but they have yet to verify this information.

Villacampa said that the suspects usually identify themselves as herbalists and allegedly persuade victims to give up their jewelry as these would cause flatulence.

Villacampa further said that suspects mostly victimize old people who they can easily fool. 

— (FREEMAN)