Robbery group retreats, targets another province

CEBU, Philippines - The Mindanao-based robbery group planning to attack financial institutions has allegedly retreated following the intensified information and awareness campaign by the local police.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe said the robbery group which was reported to have planned attacks on financial institutions has transferred to another province outside Cebu.

He however refuses to name the province where the alleged robbers retreated after their plans were pre-empted here in Cebu.  

Despite the negative feedbacks that CCPO received following their information campaign, Buenafe insists that there are pressing problems which need to be addressed only through the help of the public. 

In fact, the CCPO has reportedly received compliments from various private individuals and from financial institutions following their proactive move against the alleged presence of robbers in Cebu.

“The CCPO should be credited instead of being downplayed,” commented an online reader on Wednesday’s article entitled “Oppus advices CCPO against alarming the public.”

Buenafe said their effort in disseminating vital information to the public proved to be effective in deterring criminality in the city.

The director further believed that “people empowerment” is one effective way in fighting criminality in all of its forms, adding that the public should always be at par with law enforcers. 

He further urge the public to be always vigilant in their respective communities, adding that their simple help can definitely make a big difference regarding peace and order in the city.

Even with the good news, the police remind the public to continue being vigilant against possible threats.

On Wednesday, the police warned the public of a new robbery group, reportedly a sub-group of the Quiapo Cabando robbery group from Mindanao, which planned to target various financial institutions.

What concerned the police is that the Quiapo Cabando robbery group is also a breakaway group of the dreaded Kuratong Baleleng Gang of Ozamis City.  

The Quiapo Cabando robbery group failed to rob an armored van which led to the killing of three of its members, two armored van guards, wounding a teller and two responding policemen on September 6.     - (THE FREEMAN)