P7.6M botched jewelry robbery, Judge eyes contempt vs. police

CEBU, Philippines - The supposed pre-trial of the botched P7.6 million robbery in Barangay Punta Princesa was stalled yesterday for failure of the policemen to present the evidence in the case.    

Regional Trial Court Branch 9 Judge Geraldine Faith Econg has issued an order to the property custodian of the Cebu City Investigation Detection Management Bureau (IDMB) to present the evidence before the court.   

Econg has also asked for an explanation why the property custodian should not be held in contempt of court for failure to present evidence on the scheduled pre-trial against the remaining two accused involved in the crime yesterday. 

Some of the jewelries that served as evidence were turned over to the police in July by Jennifer dela Cerna, the victim. 

But the cash, in the amount of P20,000, which should have been an evidence to the crime was not presented in court after dela Cerna admitted to Econg that she had already used the money.   

Two of the accused, Kirby Abanilla and Frederick Ybañez, was sentenced to spend 2 to 4 years in prison after admitting their involvement in the crime.   

The other suspects, Noel Davis and Jennifer Enriquez, who was arraigned yesterday entered a not guilty plea and denied participation in the crime.  

Enriquez, who failed to attend in the first scheduled arraignment last August was hospitalized, thus the rescheduling of the arraignment yesterday.   

She had also filed a motion for reinvestigation on the case but was denied by Econg in open court yesterday for its untimely filing.   

The presentation of evidence is again set on September 11. – Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)