‘Agents’ rob jewelry store

CEBU, Philippines — Unidentified men who pretended to be National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents robbed a pawnshop on Colon St., Cebu City yesterday morning, taking with them assorted jewelry of still undetermined value.

Oro Sugbo Pawnshop and Jewelry Store's security guard (name withheld) said that when they opened the pawnshop at around 8 a.m., the men immediately entered and pointed guns at them.

CCTV footage showed one of the men had the guard lie on the floor at gunpoint while the others took the jewelry.

The security guard said the robbery took just around five minutes.

After taking the pawnshop's jewelry, the men, said to be around four to five persons, including the lookout, quickly sped off onboard motorcycles toward Leon Kilat St.

A witness said that the guard was caught off guard because the men introduced themselves as NBI agents who were serving him a warrant.

Police Major Miles Damoslog, Carbon Police Station chief, said two of the men carried high-powered guns, likely M16 and M4 rifles.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Ireneo Dalogdog personally inspected the scene to see if there were CCTVs with better footage, to help identify the culprits.

CCPO is currently conducting intelligence gathering to determine if the robbers are Cebu-based or from another province.

As of press time, Oro Sugbo has not yet provided authorities as to the exact value of the stolen items.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Rey Gealon appealed for the public to cooperate in the investigation and for business owners to be extra vigilant, following the incident.

“We appeal to the public to cooperate in the police investigation, especially if they were able to witness the brazen robbery,” he said.

“For the business owners, we advise them to be extra vigilant in securing their respective business establishments by hiring security guards and implementing round-the-clock CCTV monitoring," he added.

The councilor, who heads the City Council committee on laws, ordinances, and styling, called on CCPO to increase police visibility, especially that it is already the Christmas season and more people are expected to throng malls, churches, and business establishments.

“More police patrolling is indispensable - coupled with massive police visibility to deter crimes - as we are nearing Christmas, anticipating that more criminal elements, including those coming from outside the city, are lurking to victimize people here," Gealon said.

He likewise encouraged traffic enforcers to help the police, recalling that when he was the Cebu City Transportation Office executive director, there were traffic enforcers whom the city awarded for bravery.

“Gi-encourage nato sila (traffic enforcers), as vigilant and responsible citizens, nga magpakabana gyud sa panghitabo sa gawas ug sa kinatibuk-ang katilingban,” said Gealon, who is also the current Cebu City Traffic Management Coordination Committee chairman. — (FREEMAN)