Witness tags new suspect in money firm rob

The Cebu City Police now have in its possession the affidavit of a new witness in the Western Union money transfer heist last Saturday identifying another suspect aside from Jemuel Cardoza.

The police believe that this new personality has also been involved in the recent heists perpetrated in Metro Cebu particularly in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. The police however refused to name the suspect, but would be filing a case against him today.

This new suspect reportedly was the one who accidentally fired a handgun during the Western Union heist when went to the cashier's area to load the money into the bag.

The police would not also name the person, who tagged the new suspect for security reasons.

The case that would be filed today will be against Cardoza, this new suspect, and two still unidentified companions.

Police said the new suspect is also from Mindanao with local contacts.

Last week, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch Chief Paul Labra told The Freeman he was going to show witnesses pictures of new personalities, who used to belong to the Danny Limotan robbery group.

Labra is yet to divulge the result of such since the management of the money transfer requested the police not to reveal information unless they are certain about it for safety reasons.

Four armed men ran away with close to P800, 000 worth of cash and Philippine and US currency from the Western Union branch along Ramos Street last October 15.

A day after, the establishment's security guard Milbert Ambos singled-out Cardoza's picture from the photos Labra presented to him.

Ambos said he is positive it was Cardoza, who barged into the establishment and disarmed him with of his caliber .38 revolver before two other men also came in.

The next day, a utility worker also supported Ambos identification of Cardoza, but he did not execute an affidavit, as he was afraid of his family's safety.

Labra heads the special task force formed to go after Cardoza and Doroteo Imperial, who is also the suspect in several robberies in Metro Cebu.

Cardoza has also been tagged as the one who allegedly led the group responsible for the East West Bank heist last September 26. A case has already been filed charged him and his cohorts for that incident.

Last October 4, Cardoza was named the companion of Imperial in robbing a fish vendor of P70,000 cash and a mobile phone worth P20,000 in Barangay Capitol-Site.

On September 23, Cardoza together with Imperial were tagged responsible for robbing a moneychanger in Barangay Mabolo with about P200,000 carted away.

Recently the City's PNP Crime Laboratory in a ballistic examination report concluded that there was only one gun used - a .45 caliber Colt pistol, in all those heists in the city.

It also reported that the latent prints retrieved during the Western Union heist matched to the finger prints of Cardoza that was taken at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center last year. - Ryan P. Borinaga