Suspect in Asialink robbery arrested
CEBU, Philippines - One of the alleged suspects in the burglary of Asialink Finance Corporation in barangay Zapatera, Cebu City last week was arrested by the Cebu Intelligence Branch Sunday evening along Sikatuna Street.
Police arrested Virgilio “Apyot†Cañacao, 34, of barangay Manalili, while on his way home on foot at around 6:00 p.m.
Seized from him was a packet believed to contain shabu.
Cañacao is now detained at the Cebu City police stockade pending charges for robbery and possession of illegal drugs.
In an interview, Cañacao denied any involvement in the burglary of the financing company.
The firm allegedly lost at least P100,000 and several valuables.
He instead gave names of persons he knew to have been involved in the crime.
Cañacao, however, admitted he was once a burglar but he already stopped a few months ago.
He was also arrested for illegal possession of firearms twice and was jailed at the Cebu City Jail.
He was released just last year after his charges were dismissed.
But based on the investigation of the Theft and Robbery Section, Cañacao was the leader of the ‘group’ which involves two minors aged 16.
“Wa tuod siya ato pero mahug nga siya maoy lider kay siya may kinamagulangan,†Insp. William Alicaba, TRS chief, said.
Cañacao’s name also came out during a follow up investigation.
“Sa among info dunay nakakita niya even if wa siya niapil og lungkab,†Alicaba said.
The TRS will continue their operation until they recover some of the items stolen.
The Asialink Finance Corporation was ransacked by at least three persons based on fingerprints and foot prints found in the office last Wednesday.
Burglars gained entrance by using a ladder in order to reach and detach the air-conditioning unit and made their way into the office through the hole.
Aside from the cash from the vault, burglars also took two laptops, a netbook, and cellular phones.
Police believed that burglars started their operation past 9:00 p.m. when personnel of the company left for home. (FREEMAN)
- Latest