CPD orders manhunt for Cubao bombers

Operatives of the Central Police District were ordered to conduct a massive manhunt for the armed robbers who exploded a grenade following a heist at a jewelry store inside a shopping mall in Cubao, Quezon City Sunday.

Authorities also released a cartographic sketch of two of the suspects, allegedly responsible for rolling a grenade inside Farmers Plaza, where the robbery took place. At least 36 people were injured in the blast.

The first suspect was described as 27-30 years old, 5’5-5’7 in height, 130-140 pounds, and has a slim built. He was reportedly armed with a caliber .45 pistol and was wearing a beige polo shirt and slacks at the time of the incident.

The second sketch showed a man between 25-30 years old, 5’4-5/5 in height, 135-130 pounds, of medium built, and has dark complexion. He was reportedly one of the robbers who barged inside the Crystal Time jewelry store at the Farmers Plaza ground floor.

According to Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Tor, CPD district director, they were leaving no stone unturned in the campaign to identify and arrest the suspects.

"I see this incident as a simple case of robbery and not an act of terrorism, although we are still going to look into that possibility. But our first priority is to arrest the suspects in this incident," Tor said in an interview.

This was the latest grenade blast believed to be perpetrated by the "Martilyo Gang" that ripped through a crowded mall. The group allegedly bomb the Ever Gotesco mall last week, killing one person and injuring 38 others.

Police detained three men at the Police Station 7 the other night but were released yesterday morning after questioning.

The explosion, which left at least seven people with serious injuries, came after one of the suspects robbed the Crystal Time jewelry shop, to create a diversion for their escape. The blast damaged several stores in the upper-ground floor of the place. – Matthew Estabillo