Rob group may strike again

CEBU, Philippines - Banks, pawnshops, jewelry stores, and other financial establishments are told to be vigilant following the foiled robbery attempt last Thursday.

Cebu City Police Office director Mariano Natu-el said the group who attempted to hit a mall at the North Reclamation Area may strike again while they are still in Cebu.

Police continue to track down the members of the group from Ozamis City who abandoned their rented van and high powered guns because of the presence of policemen in the mall vicinity.

Natu-el said they are also closely monitoring possible exit points.

“Yes of course, dia pa sila diri. Di sila kadali-dali og larga. Naa ta’y mga pulis sa ports and terminals na ga-monitor,” he said.

Natu-el said they are running after eight to ten people, whose leader was identified as Aylon Parojinog with aliases, Allon, Al-al, and Marlon Par.

Natu-el disclosed that they have identified one of Parojinog’s companions as the police arrested him in the past for illegal possession of firearms.

He withheld the name so as not to jeopardize their follow up operation.

Natu-el said he has informed Cebu Bankers Association president Mary Christine Chua about the foiled robbery attempt.

Last April 29, the office of the Regional Intelligence Division received an information that a robbery group from Mindanao arrived in Cebu to rob a bank.

They went to Danao City to get firearms that they can use in their operation.

The police immediately informed bank institutions to tighten their

security.

Since banks have beefed up their security, Natu-el believes that Parojinog’s group changed plan and targeted a jewelry store in the mall.

CCPO is in constant communication with Edgar Rubite, the driver of the van that the robbery group held captive but was also abandoned with the van and nine firearms at the parking lot of a mall in Barangay Mabolo.

Rubite, who was blindfolded, was able to escape and report the group’s plan to Mabolo Police Station.

The group reportedly retreated after spotting a police patrol car, which they thought was tailing them.

The CCPO director recognized the help of the roving patrol car of the Mobile Patrol Group in stopping the robbery. —/MBG (FREEMAN)