Two guards nabbed for robbery

CEBU, Philippines - The two security guards of a cellphone load distributor in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, which was robbed Friday night, were arrested by the police for allegedly conniving with the robbers.

The guards were identified as Bartolome Paciente, Jr., 47, and Saturnino Berangberang, 31, both stay-in security guards of MI5 Corporation located at Orient Building along Echavez St.

Paciente, who was off-duty when the robbery happened, admitted giving tips to the robbers. Upon Paciente’s signal, the three robbers barged into the MI5 Corporation at 8:00 p.m. Friday and declared a holdup.

The robbers carted away P18,000 cash; 20 cellular phones; laptop and other belongings from the 11 employees.Berangberang however denied any involvement in the heist.

Berangberang said the robbers locked him up along with the employees inside the establishment’s room.

Chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano, head of the Cebu City Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said the robbers would have carted away P100,000 cash had the company not deposited it in the bank earlier that day.

 “Napagawas na sa MI5 ang kwarta so by the time gitira nila ang establishment wala na ang P100,000,” Garciano said.

Garciano said that based on their investigation, the robbers are new in Cebu City.

They are now also looking for the pension house’s roomboy who earlier took Paciente’s cellphone number as ordered by Francis Raagas, one of the robbers. The other suspects are Roy and Bong, all of Ozamis City.

Paciente said he was forced to cooperate with the suspect for fear that Raagas will harm his family in Tudela, Ozamis Occidental. According to Paciente, he was also promised a share of the loot.

 As of yesterday, the police continue its hot pursuit operation against the suspects.  (FREEMAN)