P200T taken in La Nueva heist

CEBU, Philippines - Another robbery incident took place on a Saturday.

This time, the La Nueva Pharmacy and Grocery in Barangay Inawayan, Cebu City was victimized by two unidentified men yesterday afternoon.

The two robbers pretended to be customers before declaring a holdup and taking around P200,000 from the two cash registers.

The robbery, which happened in just five minutes, took place around 12:50 p.m.  The police received the alarm around 1 p.m.

Pardo Police Station Chief Alexis Relado said one of the robbers approached the establishment security guard Argie Vidal Batiller on the pretext of asking him something before disarming him.

Batiller, 24, is connected with GDS Security and Detective Agency and General Services.

PO3 Robert Escarlan, officer-on-case, said footage taken by the store's closed-circuit television (CCTV) showed one of the perpetrators walked with a limp; was estimated to be in his 40s; and was wearing a blue shirt, pair of jeans, and ball cap; had with him a sling bag; and was armed with a .38 revolver.

The other robber, who served as back up, was in his 20s and described as well-groomed; a bit tall; and was wearing a white shirt, pair of jeans, sunglasses, and a ball cap; and was armed with an unidentified gun.

"Good thing naa ta'y nakuha nga (the camera captured) distinguishing features for the identification of the suspects. Nakuha jud ang mga nawong nila sa (Their faces could be seen in the) CCTV," Relado added, saying the older suspect even looked up.

During the robbery, the six employees were made to gather at a corner of the pharmacy while Batiller was made to stay near the door guarded by the younger robber.

A signage of the La Nueva store posted on the door, however, states that wearing of helmets, caps and sunglasses inside is prohibited.

Relado said that when they interviewed Batiller, the guard admitted that he only has two bullets and that they were not even loaded in the cylinder of his service .38 revolver.

The police official said security guards are supposed to have a minimum of one basic load of six live bullets another extra load for a revolver.

Relado said they would ask GDS to explain why Batiller did not comply with the standard requirement while doing sentinel work.

Escarlan said they made a background check on Batiller and learned that the man seemed to be not well-oriented with his job.

Escarlan said they are also checking on inside job as possible angle into the robbery.

Witnesses said the two perpetrators fled using an XRM motorcycle parked 10 meters from the store towards the direction of the South Road Properties.

Relado said that they coordinated with the Cebu City Police Office City Intelligence Branch and the Theft and Robbery Section to help in the investigation, particularly in establishing the identities of the two robbers based on the CCTV recording.

He thanked the witnesses and the La Nueva management for their cooperation.

Relado said he intend to meet security service providers and security agencies to reorient them on lapses of their deployed personnel during emergency situations like a robbery.

He likewise reminded his fellow policemen to keep a good eye on their respective areas of responsibility because lawless elements are just out there waiting for the opportunity to present itself.

"As we could understand, pulis ra ilang gibantayan (the robbers keep an eye on the police). Although we cannot prevent the occurrence of all crimes, we are determining what actions should be done to solve this case," he said.

Relado said it was the first time the outlet got victimized but the second incident for La Nueva, after its Basak branch lost P30,000  to robbers on Dec. 31. —/RHM (FREEMAN)