3 robbery suspects arrested, charged

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  - Three suspects who last week robbed a Japanese national and his Filipina live-in partner in Bayawan City were arrested yesterday and was immediately charged in court with robbery with force and intimidation.

Negros Oriental Police provincial director Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas identified to The FREEMAN the three suspects: Richard Quimada, 31, resident of Poblacion, Bayawan, Anthony Luterio, 28, of sitio Avito, Brgy. Kalumboyan, Bayawan and Emily Benedicto, the victim's sister who was pointed to by the suspects as the alleged mastermind.

The robbery incident took place on March 22 when the suspects forcibly entered the house of Rojel Se, a 48-year-old Japanese national, and his live-in partner Merlyn Benedicto, 29, at sitio Tiki in Brgy. Kalumboyan, Bayawan City.

Merlyn told the police that she was preparing dinner at the time when a man entered the house, punched her in the stomach, pointed a knife at her and demanded her bag containing cash and assorted pieces of jewelry.

The day after the incident, the police arrested Leonardo Olenta, also of Kalumboyan, but the victims yesterday said he was not among the robbers. He is now waiting for a court order for his release.

After yesterday's arrest of the three suspects, the police recovered from them the stolen items from the victims, such as 680,000 Yen, and assorted pieces of jewelry and watches worth a total of P1.7 million.  (FREEMAN)