3 rob suspects freed on bail

ORMOC CITY , Philippines  — Three of eight suspected members of the so-called Igorot Acetylene Gang, who were apprehended on Christmas Day for their alleged plan of burglarizing a pawnshop by making a tunnel into the establishment, are now out of jail after posting bail imposed on them by Judge Clinton Nuevo.

The three and the amount of bail they posted on Friday were Elvis Lawig, 48, of La Trinidad, Benguet for P280,000; Gaspar Yap-eo, 46, of Baguio City for P200,000; and Gary Daytec, 32 of Baguio City for P240,000. 

The usual bail bond for attempted robbery is P24,000 but Nuevo raised the amount to ensure they will not jump bail and return to future hearings.

RTC-branch 12 clerk-of-court Carl Magsoling said the judge set varying amounts for each suspects, depending on the identification documents they produced. The suspects, who were found to have criminal records, earlier presented in court documents (driver's licenses and PRC ID) that were later found to be bogus.

The suspected gang leader, Abuan Gapongli, remained in jail when he failed to post P500,000 bail for his temporary liberty. The other jailed suspects were Ricky Pakiyos, 42, of Bagong Laya; James Kalasan of Letex in Payatas, Quezon City; Jimmy Pimentel, 45, of Baguio City and Peter Alsikan, 45.