Cops probe link of group to lending firm robberies

The Cebu City Police has started investigating the possible link of the group of notorious robbery suspect Dindo Ancero to the robbery of two lending companies Saturday morning.

The robbers struck Alano and Sons Finance Corporation on Escario Street then, 25 minutes later its sister company G.A. Countryside Corporation on T. Padilla Extension at barangay Tejero, and fled with close to P200,000 in total loot.

The identification of the robbers might not be determined yet but the mode of execution, among others, is the style of Ancero's group, said Supt. Pablo Labra, police intelligence chief that heads the investigation.

Witnesses told investigators that the robbers used similar modus operandi, in robbing both firms, in which one of the robbers would pose as a customer and inquire first on how to apply for a loan before his armed accomplices would barge in and announce a hold-up.

Labra noted that the latest robbery was distinctively done in similar mode with that of Ancero's group, including the use of motorcycles and hitting lending firms that have no security guards or security gadgets at all.

Police are not sure however if the robbers at the firm in Escario were the same who hit the firm at T. Padilla.

Alano and Sons in Escario Street is reportedly owned by Bienvenida Alano, while the G.A. Countryside Corporation is owned by her son Gino Alano. The two are based in Zamboanga del Sur, police said.

As of yesterday, none of Alano's employees went to the police to give additional information about the robbery. They might be going home for the All Saints Day holiday, Labra said however.

The possible link of the Ancero group to the latest robberies has been based on the methods used in another twin robbery of two lending firms last October 5.

The robbers at the time hit A1 Micro-Finance Corporation on Osmeña Boulevard and Asialink Finance Corporation on General Maxilom Avenue, and ran off with nearly P200,000 in total loot also.

Witnesses had positively identified Ancero among the robbers, and Labra's CIIB operatives arrested him while leaving a lending firm in barangay Guizo in Mandaue City. Also arrested was Jangen Fernandez who claimed to be an engineer.

Ancero and Fernandez were caught in possession of two .38 cal. revolvers and several bogus checks from various banks. Only Ancero was indicted however because Asialink employees only identified Fernandez as one of their previous clients.

Ancero, before his latest arrest, was out on bail after being suspected as one of those who robbed the Land Bank of the Philippines-Bogo branch last year. - Edwin Ian Melecio