Aspac Bank robbery suspects' family to sue cops

Lawyer Gloria Dalawampu yesterday said the family of the two suspects in the robbery of Aspac Bank in Tabogon town is set to file a civil case against the Cebu Provincial Police Office for illegal arrest, among other grounds.

Roy Quimada and his nephew Earl Allen Mondarte were riding a Toyota Corolla Altis when arrested by the San Remegio police last week.

Dalawampu, the counsel of the suspects, told reporters that because of the incident, which was a big news in Pagadian City where the Mondartes are based, the family of her clients will claim damages from the CPPO.

Mondarte's father is a Provincial Board member of Zamboanga del Sur while his uncles hold high government post.

Dalawampu also said "there is a bright prospect of acquittal," referring to the robbery case filed against her clients, who are temporarily released after posting P80,000 bail each.

She said if not for their over-speeding on the highway of San Remegio, the two would not have been stopped by the police who were posted along the road.

Dalawampu added that Tabogon deputy police chief told her that the two were actually stopped for over-speeding and that only Mondarte was brought to the police station, saying that it was a case of an illegal arrest.

She claimed that police said there were three robbers who used a motorcycle.

"Where now is the motorcycle?" she asked, adding that the police claimed that they were looking for the abandoned motorcycle.

No bank employee identified the two as the ones involved in the robbery, she said. Reports said the robbers did not wear masks.

With the incident, the lawyer said Mondarte, a graduating commerce student at the University of San Carlos, refused to go back to school until the case is solved.

"Looy kaayo tawn masakiton baya to," she said. - Liv G. Campo