Robbers in P1.3 million heist not novices, cops say

CEBU, Philippines – Police believed that the robbers who took P1.3 million from two men at the corner of Sanciangko and Leon Kilat streets the other day were also responsible for major robbery incidents in Cebu City in the past.

City Police Director Patrocinio Comendador said that the robbers who pulled off the heist are the same robbers they have been monitoring before but just switched their tactics, this time using smaller and faster motorcycles instead of big vehicles.

The robbers took over P1.3 million from Bonifacio Dayapan and Willy Gerenia who were transporting cash for a firm engaged in selling dental supplies, lending and currency exchange past 10 a.m. the other day.

Dayapan who works as a collector of GP Dental Supply located along Urgello St., barangay Sambag II, and Gerenia, an uncle of the owner of the clinic, just came from the Banco de Oro branch at corner Plaridel and Magallanes streets when they were held up.

The two reportedly withdrew P1,557,000 from the bank, but also deposited P200,000 of that into another account of the company before leaving the bank.

The victims were on a motorcycle on their way back to their office when two men wearing bonnets under their helmets stopped right in front of them while they waited for the light to turn green at the intersection.

The victims claimed that the man riding tandem left the motorcycle and pointed a .45 cal. pistol at the chest of Dayapan who was driving their motorcycle, and asked for his bag that had P57,000 inside it.

The robber then allegedly asked for the keys of their motorcycle and ordered Dayapan and Gerenia to get off the motorcycle.

The robber then drove off on their motorcycle with plate number YI-7833 and with P1.3 million inside the toolbox under the seat heading towards Panganiban St. with his accomplice following him on the other motorcycle. 

The CCPO director said that they advised the management of the firm to put up security measures as it has reportedly been robbed a couple of times several years ago.

He also said that three weeks ago they received information that a group of robbers was coming here to Cebu.

The police could not provide at a cartographic sketch because none of the witnesses and the victims themselves could describe the suspects.

A follow-up operation is being conducted to locate the possible suspects, Comendador said. — Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)