Police frustrate Masbate rob group

CEBU, Philippines - Four men were arrested Saturday for attempting to rob a construction company in sitio Latasan in barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.

A police patrol car was cruising in the area when Theft and Robbery Section Chief P/Insp. Ramil Morpos became suspicious when he spotted a motorcycle parked a few meters from Ideal Builders Company. He then saw two men about to enter the firm’s premises.

Morpos said immediately arrested were Senando Sullano, Jr., 28, single, and a resident sitio Lapyahan in barangay Labogon and Adonis Sala, 28, married, of Consolacion, Cebu.

Seized from Sullano were two small packs containing shabu and. a 38 cal. revolver.

Sala yielded a pack of shabu and a .38 caliber revolver.

Morpos said the two men confessed they were with three other companions and named them.

Also arrested later were Arsenio Sanchez Jr, married, a native of Escalante, Negros Occidental but presently residing in sitio Latasan in barangay Labogon and Jeneby Semblante, legal age, married, of barangay Tayud, Consolacion town.

Seized from Sanchez Jr. and Semblante were .38 cal. revolver and a .357 magnum revolver.

The leader of the group eluded arrest.

The police learned the group had planned to rob the company foreman who was in charge of releasing salaries to construction workers every Saturday.

Sanchez Jr., who works as the company driver, told reporters he had tipped Sullano about the payroll money because he held a grudge against the foreman.

He said he came to know Sullano after the man confided to him that he was running away from the law for robberies in Manila, Masbate, and Metro Cebu.

Sanchez Jr. said that except for Sullano’s nephew Senando Sullano, who is also a construction worker of the company, he said he did not know the two other men because they are members of Sullano’s group whose members are mostly natives of Masbate province.

Police later confirmed from their counterparts in Placer, Masbate that Sullano has a pending warrant of arrest for robbery in band in 2006. (FREEMAN)