Rob suspect admits crime anew

CEBU, Philippines - One of the accused in the botched robbery of a roving bank teller at an uptown mall more than three years ago has re-entered his guilty plea to robbery with homicide when re-arraigned yesterday.

Junjun Cabando reaffirmed his earlier admission to the robbery attempt on September 5, 2011 resulting in the death of two security guards and the wounding of a bank teller and two policemen. Cabando was assisted by lawyer Leil Rojo. 

Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro explained to Cabando the nature of the crime and the consequence of his admission before the re-arraignment was made.

Cabando admitted he was with the group of robbers that killed security guards Lito Udag and Leofer Etac and wounded bank teller Lewen Surig as well as PO1 Jay Catacutan and PO1 Roy Ceniza.

The guards were escorting Surig who was delivering P1.2 million cash to a money changer inside the mall when Cabando’s group attempted to rob her. A shootout ensued resulting in the death of the two escorts and the wounding of the teller.

The two policemen were part of those who responded to the alarm.

Cabando first entered a guilty plea on November 5, 2014 along with his live-in partner Merlyn Laguitao.

Following Cabando’s admission, the court has submitted the case for decision and scheduled the promulgation of judgment on May 6, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. —(FREEMAN)