Cops, soldiers eyed in rash of Cebu robberies

CEBU CITY - Aside from the Kuratong Baleleng Gang, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) are now suspecting that a group of former policemen and soldiers are also responsible for the string of robberies in Cebu and nearby areas.

PAOCTF chief Teofilo Viña said his men are now closely watching a former Cebu policeman, an active policeman from Masbate, three former military personnel and three civilians for their possible involvement in the robberies.

Viña said he is not discounting the possibility that the group may be remnants of the notorious Kuratong Baleleng gang from Ozamiz City as the military and civilians believe.

PNP regional director Tiburcio Fusilero confirmed the involvement of a retired policeman in the robberies.

Fusilero said that if the local police fail to arrest the suspects in two weeks' time, a task force will be formed to exclusively look into the series of robberies.

He said the task force will be composed of representatives from the NBI, the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Division, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Traffic Management Group and other law enforcement agencies.