Rama wants culprits’ quick arrest, another store robbed

CEBU, Philippines -  Another 24-hour convenience store was robbed by two unidentified men yesterday morning along M. Velez Street, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Two armed men reportedly barged into Route Stop Convenience Store and declared a robbery, said Senior Inspector Alan Rosario, chief of Guadalupe Police Station.

One of the robbers reportedly approached lady guard Junalyn Guimary, 31, who was busy mopping the floor, and pointed a gun at her while telling her to turn over her cal. 38 revolver. Guimary, who was caught off guard, did not resist and handed her service firearm to the robber.

The second robber approached store cashier Honelyn Arogante, 22, and pointed a gun at her while ordering her to put the money in a bag.

The armed men carted away P23,000 and three mobile phones, one of which contained at least P11,000 worth of electronic load.

The two men then fled using a black and white Honda XRM motorcycle.

Rosario said it took the employees of the shop a while to call the police because of shock.

The establishment has a closed circuit television camera but the police found out that its cord was detached all along during the robbery.

Rosario said a rouges gallery was shown to the witnesses who identified two persons as the culprits. For now, the police are withholding the names of the possible suspects pending verification.

City Intelligence Branch chief Romeo Santander said the manner of execution of the robbery at Route Stop is similar to that of the 7-Eleven robbery.

The robbers also fit the description given by the witnesses of both incidents.

Santander said he felt insulted with the successive heists, as he vowed to tighten the security in the city and make adjustments in their operations.

Mayor Michael Rama directed the police to solve the series of robbery and arrest the culprits as soon as possible.

“Bring out the culprit. They should be quick,” he said.

Rama said he does not want more robbery incidents to happen in the city anymore.

“I’ve never missed in reminding the Philippine National Police that when the cat is away, don’t let the mouse play. Be vigilant,” he stressed.

The mayor also directed barangay officials to help the police secure the city.

“Dili lang igahin sa police, sa barangay sad. Asa man ilahang tanod, ilahang peace and order plan,” he said.

Rama will be meeting the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council chaired by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella within the week to talk about the problem.

Just last Tuesday, 7-Eleven convenience store in Barangay Duljo Fatima was robbed of P20,000 cash.

Rama has reminded the establishments to hire security guards and put up surveillance cameras in their respective stores. — (FREEMAN)