Robbery group "member" nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged member of the Junjun Cabando robbery group from Mindanao was arrested by the police late last week while his companion managed to escape.

The police, however, refused to divulge the name of the suspect and his cohort.

The arrest came roughly two weeks after the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) -7 confirmed late last month the presence of a Mindanao-based robbery group in the region.

Elements from the Cebu City Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) arrested the suspect at Barangay Labangon, this city, last Friday dawn.

 A cal. 45 pistol was seized from the suspect who did not resist arrest, while his unidentified companion managed to flee.

Both are alleged members of the notorious robbery group who were placed under surveillance for three weeks after the police received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding their presence in the area. 

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said they are currently focusing on capturing the other suspect who managed to flee.

He said the case is very sensitive considering what the group is capable of doing.

“Sa pagka-karon continuous pa ang atong operation. We will be delivering our report (on the group) when everything is ready, (For now, our operations are ongoing. We will deliver our report when everything is ready.)” he said.

The director appealed to the public to help monitor suspicious people in their respective areas, stressing that community involvement is very important in the conduct of their police operations.

Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, RID-7 chief, described the group as well-organized and elusive.

Lawas said the group might also be behind the robbery of a forwarding company in Mandaue City last month but this is yet to be confirmed.

The two, who were seen in Cebu City area, were believed to be scouting for their next target through the help of their possible contacts in the area.

September last year, three robbers from northern Mindanao were killed in a botched heist inside a mall at the uptown area of Cebu City. Two armored van guards were also killed by robbers, while two other policemen were wounded.

The leader of the group, Junjun Cabando, managed to escape reportedly back to Mindanao. — Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/MIT (THE FREEMAN)