Carmen and Catmon police to get rewards

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial police office (CPPO) director Sr. Supt. Jesus Gaquing assured that the Carmen and Catmon police would be rewarded for capturing notorious robbers operating in northern part of Cebu.

Gaquing said that elements of the two police stations will receive the Medalya ng Kasanayan and separate awards came from his office and from the Police Regional Office (PRO-7).

The police official said he is thankful to the community for giving the police information that led to the arrest of the suspects.

Carmen police arrested the other three alleged notorious robbers operating in the town and nearby areas.

Arrested were Rodolfo Lavador, 30; Ariel Almendras, 20; and Joseph Almendras, 25, all of Tabok-Camaligbato, Danao City. The three fell to the police just as they allegedly were about to stage a robbery at a bus station in Carmen.

Almendras was pointed as one of the suspects responsible for robbing and killing a tricycle driver last Tuesday.

A .357 Magnum revolver with five live bullets was seized from Lavador while a .38 snub nose loaded with three live bullets was seized from Almendras. Another .38 snub nose revolver was confiscated from Josephus Almendras.

Carmen Police Station chief Carlos Reyes Jr. said that last Wednesday, they received a tip from an attendant of the Sto. Niño Bus Stop in barangay Luyang that three armed men arrived at the area.

Reyes said they immediately noticed the three men when they arrived at the area.

But when they introduced themselves as policemen, Lavador allegedly tried to resist arrest, injuring SPO1 Joselito Jopia.

Residents in the area reportedly helped the police in arresting Lavador and his two companions.

Reyes said that based on the information they have gathered, the three were planning to pull a heist at the bus station.

Later, a fish vendor positively identified Lavador as one of those who robbed and killed Aparri. 

The items seized from the suspects will be forwarded to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination. Police earlier recovered a slug of a .357 Magnum from the remains of Aparri.

The suspects are presently detained at the Carmen Police Station.

Carmen Mayor Sonia Pua lauded the police for the arrest of the suspects. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/LPM (THE FREEMAN)