5 in bank heist charged

Five persons allegedly involved in the Holy Monday robbery at the Banco de Oro branch in SM North-EDSA two months ago were charged yesterday with robbery with homicide before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Named as respondents were Gilbert Golanco, alias Ampang or Bogart; Hector Ammen; Danilo Francisco; Gerry Antonio; and Reynaldo Antonio, all residents of Rafael Cruz Compound, Barangay Santolan, Pasig City.

Acting as the complainant in the case was Raquel Trinidad, branch manager of the Banco de Oro Universal Bank.

The five suspects, who were charged in absentia since they remain at large, were identified through police photos by at least three security guards of the mall and Banco de Oro.

Based on Trinidad’s complaint, the suspects managed to steal P8,957,131.40 in cash and P342,100.94 in checks, or a total of P9,299,232. 34.

Trinidad said the money and checks stolen were picked up from institutional account holders and were to be delivered and processed at their branch on North Avenue, Quezon City.

A group of heavily armed men hit the Banco de Oro branch on the afternoon of April 5, killing a security guard in the process.

Roving teller Joseph Almoite and bank security escorts Ladio Jacobe and Ernesto Frutas had just stepped out of the armored van to deposit the cash and checks when the suspects staged the heist.

The suspects were able to take one of the bags being carried by Almoite and fired at Jacobe, 37, who later died at the Quezon City General Hospital. The robbers then fled aboard a white van. – Katherine Adraneda