Foreigner, 3 minors fall for robbery

CEBU, Philippines - Three minors and a foreign national were arrested by the police in separate robbery incidents in the cities of Talisay and Bogo last Wednesday.

Two suspects aged 17 and another who is 16 years old, are now in the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office pending the filing of a robbery case in court.

Suspects were accused of robbing Vierne Tan, 16, of Sitio Cabangcalan I, Barangay Bulacao, who lost his cellular phone worth P1,500 and a pair of Sandugo slippers worth P300.

Tan alleged that the suspects approached him around 1:30p.m. The 17-year-old suspect pointed a .38 caliber revolver at him while the 16-year-old suspect took his slippers while the other 17-year-old carted away his cellular phone.

The suspects then left on foot. It was at this point that Tan got the chance to report the incident to the Candulawan barangay hall and informed the barangay tanods who then called up the police station.

With the help of barangay officials, police arrested the suspects at a shanty owned by Isidro Pacada located in Pacific Heights, Barangay Candulawan.

Police recovered Tan’s cellular phone but not his pair of slippers and the revolver.

An hour later, American national Donald Rowe Chamberlin was arrested by authorities for allegedly robbing his friend.

Police nabbed Chamberlin, 67, of Dixieland, Rogers, Arkansas, and temporarily residing in Barangay Cogon, Bogo City, who was accused of robbing his friend, Jaymar Gloria, 23, of Barangay Sto. Rosario.

Gloria reportedly lost his cellular phone worth P1,500.

Chamberlin is now detained at the Bogo City stockade after he was arrested by the Barangay Peace-Keeping Action Team in a hot pursuit operation.

Chamberlin, who had been receiving P40,000 monthly pension, had been living in Bogo City for several years but allegedly stopped receiving his pension lately.

Chief Insp. Ceferino Tabay, Bogo City police chief, said it was around three months when Chamberlin failed to pay the house rental.

Chamberlin reportedly went to Gloria’s and carted away the latter’s cellular phone.

“Nakagasto man sad ni siya (Chamberlin) og paeskwela sa biktima sa TESDA. (He already spent for the victim’s education at TESDA),” Tabay said in a phone interview.  Gloria tried to chase Chamberlin but failed to catch him.

Chamberlin was walking in the said barangay when BPAT personnel saw and arrested him.

Gloria failed to recover his cellular phone because Chamberlin allegedly pawned it already.

Tabay said they were monitoring Chamberlin because they always see him riding a bike with minor female children. He added that they are now coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration.

The parents, however, reportedly denied speculations of Chamberlain’s involvement with their children.

A case for robbery was filed yesterday against Chamberlin. — (FREEMAN)