Police egg on victims to file raps vs. robbers

CEBU, Philippines - The police in Talisay City who have arrested two men for allegedly robbing a gasoline station in barangay Lawaan III, Talisay City the other week are encouraging those who have fallen victim to the robbers to file charges against them.

 Shundave Villarosa alias “Shundave Oyon-oyon” and “Jap-jap”, 30 and Jose Rolando Coronel, 40, of Talisay City were arrested at a house at Camella Homes in barangay Lawaan I.

Talisay City Police Station officer-in-charge, Superintendent Elmer Lim said the police have filed charges for robbery, illegal possession of firearms in relation to the Comelec gun ban, and possession of illegal drugs.

Lim said Villarosa had been involved in robberies in barangay Tabunok.

After committing a robbery, Villarosa would disappear but resurfaces a few weeks after to pull a robbery again, Lim said.

Lim said last month Villarosa struck again in Tabunok.

Last December, Villarosa and Coronel robbed a gasoline station that they had robbed before.

The police said the Shell gasoline station in Lawaan III had been robbed thrice already.

Lim also said Villarosa was arrested by the police in 2009 for possessing unlicensed firearms and again arrested in 2010 for possessing illegal drugs.

Not one person who had been victimized by either of the two men has filed a complaint against them.

This means, the efforts of the police are taken for granted, and the culprits get back their freedom.

Victims just walk away after getting back their belongings, Lim said.

Lim said they are either afraid to file complaints or they just want to be left alone. (FREEMAN)