300T for arrest of rob suspects in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) is offering a P300,000 cash reward to anyone who can lead authorities to the 12 men who robbed the company of P3.6 million.

The robbery happened in broad daylight at 9:15 am on March 2.

Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said the CENECO Board of Directors approved the reward to hasten the arrest of the suspects who are believed to be members of an organized crime group based in Mindanao.

Dela Paz said BCPO has already identified six of the 12 suspects.

The six are identified as Gerlado Saniel and Roel Remedios, both of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Richard Dagoman of Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur; Ruel Alvarez of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental; Reynaldo Bacolod of Las Piñas City; and Joseph Calarmo of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The six are facing charges for robbery in band.

De la Paz said BCPO coordinated with the Zamboanga del Sur Police Office to identify the suspects who are reportedly members of the Alferez group.

He said the Alferez group has links to the Parohinog robbery group and Kuratong Baleleng Gang and has local contacts in Bacolod that help them execute their plan.

The group is organized, operates nationwide, and specializes in robbery hold-up and kidnap for ransom, he said.

BCPO has advised business establishments and banking institutions to be vigilant, install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and hire more security guards because there are indications that some of the members of the group behind the CENECO heist are still in Bacolod, De la Paz said. - THE FREEMAN