Cops turn to NBI in hunt for suspects

The Parañaque City Police sought yesterday the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in hunting down the robbers who carted away P300,000 from a Union Bank branch in Sucat last Monday.

Sources from the NBI said the Parañaque police asked for copies of photos and other documents pertaining to Reynaldo Antonio, 40 and his brother Gerry, 39, who were positively identified by witnesses as among those who robbed the bank in Sucat and another Union Bank branch in Quezon City last July 17.

Last July 25, the NBI arrested the brothers in Cagayan de Oro based on a tip. Another suspect was arrested in Pasig City.

The NBI said the brothers had been placed under surveillance following reports from neighbors that despite having no source of regular income, the brothers were always loaded with cash, even buying a new vehicle and new appliances.

The suspects later admitted participation to the P2.5-million bank heist at the Union Bank branch on E. Rodriguez Avenue.

The brothers identified their companions in the July 17 robbery as Victor Vargas, David Canania, Miguel Abrasada and a certain Josing and Boy.

"But since robbery is a bailable offense, all the three were freed after posting bail of P100,000 each," said a ranking official of the NBI.

Senior Superintendent Ronald Estilles, Parañaque City police chief, sent two operatives to the NBI to coordinate with Assistant Regional Director Vicente de Guzman III, who heads the unit that arrested the suspects in Cagayan de Oro.

The Antonio brothers were identified as part of the trio that pulled off the Sucat bank job, based on the gallery of pictures provided by the NBI to bank security officers shortly after their arrest.

Wycoco said the bureau is now conducting massive manhunt against the at-large suspects while charges of robbery in band would be filed against the them.