NBI indicts three suspects for robbing Veco-Mandaue

The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday filed charges at the Mandaue City prosecutor’s office against the three suspects for the robbery of the Visayan Electric Company office in Mandaue City, four months ago.

The three were Vlademer Abel Gamanay, an alleged member of the reputed Kuratong Baleleng robbery gang from Ozamis City, and two other unidentified suspects, a man and a woman.

A security guard positively identified Gamanay, whose last known address was Upper Tingub in Mandaue City, as one of the three suspects that robbed the VECO office of over P1.74 million last October 30.

Security guard Tomas Corpin identified Gamanay from a simulated line-up of pictures of the NBI files. The NBI obtained Gamanay’s picture from his records at the Land Transportation Office where he once applied for a driver’s license.

His picture matched with the artist’s sketch of the suspects’ identities based on descriptions by witnesses shortly after the robbery.

NBI senior agent Rennan Oliva, leader of the investigators of the case, said they are still conducting further probe that would lead to the identity of the two other suspects.

The investigation based on fingerprints and palm prints gathered from the crime scene had so far showed that there were at least three people who robbed VECO.

The NBI alleged that Gamanay and his companion were able to enter the VECO office, which was already closed at the time, after their female companion begged the security guard to open the door so she could pay her electric bills.

When the guard opened the door for her, Gamanay and the other man, allegedly armed with handguns and wore jackets with VECO markings, entered and announced a hold-up.

They allegedly subdued the guard immediately and one of them took the money from the vault before they fled from the office. — Fred P. Languido/RAE