Complaints filed vs Cabando, 3 others as 2 security agencies at mall face charges over botched robbery

CEBU, Philippines - The lone escapee of the failed robbery incident in one of the big malls in Cebu City and three other unidentified persons face charges before the City Prosecutors Office.

That, as two security agencies will face administrative charges after they were found to have violated security procedures, which contributed to the September 5-botched robbery inside a mall along Fuenta Omeña Circle.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Homicide Section filed the cases for two counts of robbery with homicide, two counts of frustrated homicide and robbery with physical injuries against Junjun Cabando and three John Does, yesterday afternoon.

The complaints against Cabando and others are now waiting for raffling to a prosecutor who will handle the complaints for a preliminary investigation, which will determine whether there is probable cause to elevate the complaints to the court or to dismiss these for the insufficiency of evidence.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said the three John Does represent the three people who helped Cabando to escape and assisted him (Cabando) in leaving Cebu via Talisay City.

Buenafe added they will file additional charges against the live-in partner of Cabando, Merlyn Laguitao, as accessory to the crime by assisting Cabando in his escape.

When asked why the complaint against Laguitao was not simultaneously filed with the rest, Buenafe said, “We are not constrained by time.”

Buenafe said their last known information about the whereabouts of Cabando was Ozamis.

He said they are coordinating with the mayor of Ozamis as well as its Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest Cabando. Police said Cabando managed to escape through the help of a relative.

It was on September 5, 2011 when PO1 Elrich Jourdin Catacutan and PO1 Roy Ceniza were hit in a shootout with the robbers.

Cabando, who is also known as Dionisio Cabatingan, is considered by the police as the leader of the Quiapo Cabando robbery group who tried to rob a teller inside a mall along the Fuente Osmeña Rotunda.

However, Cabando’s three cohorts were killed by the police who responded when they tried to escape with the P1.2 million that was supposed to be delivered by a teller named Lewen Surig to a money changer within the said mall.

During the daring morning robbery, two security guards were killed. They were Lito Udag and Leofer Etac. Surig was hurt in the leg.

However, when robbers were about to flee they were spotted by Catacutan who was passing by the area along with a patrol car from the Mobile Patrol Group which was also on its way to the Palace of Justice.

Catacutan in an interview said he was doing fine and added the incident made him become a better policeman.

Meanwhile, the Firearms and Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (FESAGS) – 7 Chief, Supt. Rex Derillo said yesterday that they are done with their investigation on Puritan Security Agency and NC Lanting Security.

The two agencies were found to have failed in following their security guidelines and for this they will probably be facing administrative charges.

FESAGS will forward this week to their main office their recommendation for final evaluation.

If found guilty, both security agencies could lose their permit while around six security guards within their care will likewise lose their license as security guards.

According to Derillo, both security agencies failed to follow basic procedures in securing their respective areas of responsibility.

In Puritan’s case, they reportedly failed to coordinate with the mall’s security team which was supplied by NC Lanting.

Derillo said that armored van security should always be on alert with their surroundings for any possible threat. 

NC Lanting, on the other hand, failed to conduct basic “frisking” which resulted in the entry of the two armed robbers who killed a security guard and wounded a bank teller.  

He said frisking should be done properly by any security personnel to prevent a similar incident. Basic observance of simple rules can protect the public so should not be compromised, he added.

In previous reports, security guards from NC Lanting reportedly do not have enough metal detectors issued to them by the mall, adding that if they do have one, it will remain useless most of the time. (FREEMAN)