Romana confirms rob group sightings

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the notorious robbery gang that recently hit a jewelry store in Cagayan De Oro City are reportedly sighted in Cebu.

Cebu City Police Office director, Senior Superintendent Noli Romana, confirmed that he received intelligence report about the presence of the robbery gang from Mindanao.

Romana said the group is here to dispose its loots and possible pull off another heist.

Romana alerted all business establishments on the possibility that the robbers might strike in Cebu. He, however, bragged that the group will have a hard time pulling off in the city because of the tight security.

Nevertheless, Romana said the police are in constant coordination with the mall security service providers. They are also conducting security trainings to keep up with the current trend in criminality.

 The Cebu Provincial Police Office, on the other hand, said it has beefed up the security measures in wharfs, ports, and terminals.

Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra, chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, said they have done the necessary precaution because of the possibility that the robbers from Mindanao will come to Cebu after hitting a store inside a mall in Cagayan De Oro City carting away an estimated P5 million worth of jewelry.

Albotra, however, said they have yet to confirm the reported sightings of the robbery group.

“Kani ra bang taas nga kamingaw sa robbery incidents mokalit lang dunay mga dagko maong di gyud ta mokumpiyansa,” Albotra said.

He said that a Comprehensive Deployment System is being implemented in Talisay City and Consolacion where intensified preventive patrol is made.

Meanwhile, two suspected robbers allegedly involved in the series of PUJ robberies in Cebu City were arrested yesterday.

Claudio and Sabelo Fernandez, 30, of Sitio Kawayan, Sambag II, were arrested after they were positively identified by their alleged victims.

Ma. Estrella Nunez identified the twins who allegedly robbed her inside a PUJ along General Maxilum Avenue. The suspects were arrested in their residence. The police also seized a handgun and drug sniffing paraphernalia from the suspects.  (FREEMAN)