CEBU, Philippines - A man was arrested a few hours after he allegedly robbed a couple at a gunpoint along Gorordo Ave., Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, dawn yesterday.
Police arrested 25-year-old Randy Arda during a hot pursuit operation after victims Andrew Ibañez, 22, and his girlfriend Mayra Mariz Gamayot, 21, immediately reported the robbery to the police.
The couple said they were standing outside a hotel waiting for a taxicab at almost 2 a.m. yesterday when two men casually approached them.
Ibañez, a resident of Barangay Guadalupe, thought the robbers, who both wore black sleeveless shirts, would just pass them by.
However, the two pulled out a gun and declared a hold-up. They then fled after divesting the victims’ belongings.
Ibañez lost a blue backpack containing a digital camera and assorted clothes and pants while Gamayot, a native of Maasin, Southern Leyte, lost a sling bag containing a laptop, cellular phone worth P18,000, a pair of sandals, accessories, bracelets, earrings and wallet containing P200 cash and assorted cards.
A team from the Theft and Robbery Section composed of SPO3 Marlon Mendoza, PO3 Mark Betonio, PO3 Edward Escultor, PO2 Kenneth Jan Gaquit, PO1s Dennis Labra, Ronald Ernie and Ramil Duyag conducted a hot pursuit operation.
Duyag said they coordinated with the barangay tanods and around 7:30 am, they cornered a man later identified as Arda at the interior portion of the barangay.
“Sa among pagsuhid didto, nalabyan namo ning lakiha unya nangingon ang mga biktima ‘mura’g mao to sir.’ Among giduol unya ming-attempt man ug dagan,†he said.
The victims, Duyag said, then identified Arda as one of the men who held them up.
“Natunong man daw na naa sila sa landag kadtong gitulis sila, nakatimaan sila sa nawong samtang busy ang mga tulisan pagkuha sa ilang butang,†the police officer said.
The items taken were no longer recovered.
The suspect denied committing the crime but charges for robbery will be filed against him, Duyag further said. —/BRP (FREEMAN)