Two arrested in checkpoint charged with robbery

CEBU, Philippines – Two men were charged with two counts of robbery before the Regional Trial Court yesterday after being arrested at a checkpoint last April 9 of this year.

Adriano Noya and Jonesto Caraat have been charged after allegedly robbing Crisostomo Apao and Kinneth Gay Monteza at past 2 p.m. of the said date.

Apao and Monteza, in their affidavit, said that while they were walking towards the Northwinds Hotel in barangay Lahug where Apao was working as a cook, they noticed of the suspects onboard a red motorcycle tailing them.

When they reached the vicinity of a trading center near the hotel, the two motorcycle-riding men allegedly announced a holdup and demanded for the bag of Monteza and the mobile phone of Apao.

When Apao refused to hand over his cell phone, Caraat allegedly pointed a gun at him, while Noya, the driver of the motorcycle, reportedly ordered his companion “pusila, pusila”. For fear of their safety, the victims said, they gave up their belongings.

After taking the loot, the suspects fled to the Mabolo area. Apao and Monteza then proceeded to the Mabolo Police Station to report the said incident.

The two were instructed to scan the photographs on the rouge gallery of the police in the hope that they would be able to identify the robbers. The suspects were collared at 2:30 p.m.

When they were taken to the police precinct, Apao positively identified them.

The suspects were said to have been flagged down by authorities at a checkpoint that led to their arrest for gun possession.

They were asked to pay a bail of P100,000 each. — Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)