In Dauin, Negros Oriental: Ozamis rob gang "leader" arrested

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Authorities arrested and neutralized early Wednesday in Dauin, Negros Oriental a suspected leader of an Ozamis-based robbery/hold-up gang believed responsible for a number of robbery cases in Dumaguete and other areas.

Superintendent Alet Virtucio, OIC director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO), identified the suspect as Gaudencio Bantoto Monopolio, Sr., 58, who hailed from Dauin and now a resident of Brgy. Cota Area in Ozamis City.

Monopolio was arrested around 3:25 a.m. Wednesday at the town proper by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Cenon Voltaire Repollo of the Regional Trial Court-Branch 38 in Dumaguete, under Criminal Case No. 2013-21932 for robbery-in-band.

The case stemmed from a robbery incident involving the victims, Brian and Rosario Fortes of Lutao, Bacong town in Negros Oriental last year.

In a subsequent search after Monopolio's arrest, operatives from the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the NOrPPO, the CIDG-Negros Oriental and the Dauin Police Station, confiscated from the suspect's possession a fragmentation hand grenade.

Initial investigation showed Monopolio left his home at Brgy. Batohon in Dauin and was driving his Elf truck in the town proper when arrested. He did not put up any resistance, Virtucio said.

Virtucio said investigators are now looking into the possibility that Monopolio was also involved in the August 24, 2013 foiled daytime robbery at the Agencia Belen pawnshop in downtown Dumaguete, involving P5-million worth of jewelry.

At least 10 suspects, believed to be members of the Ozamis-Pagadian robbery hold-up group, pulled off the heist but pursuing policemen were able to catch up with the fleeing robbers, resulting in the recovery of the stolen items and the arrest of Jesuslou Alegria, allegedly the group leader.

While Monopolio was not included in the criminal case earlier filed against Alegria and company, Virtucio explained the charges can be amended to include Monopolio if evidence warrants it.

Further, Monopolio, alleged leader of the Ozamis-based Monopolio robbery gang, which members are now operating in Negros Oriental, has been eyed to be possibly linked to the robbery in Silay City, Negros Occidental, said Virtucio.

Monopolio was brought to the Provincial Prosecutor's Office Wednesday morning for inquest in relation to the filing of a criminal complaint against him for illegal possession of an explosive, a no-bailable crime, he said.

The police official said, with Monopolio's arrest, his group may be neutralized, but once a leader of organized crime groups is arrested, a replacement is immediately named to continue their activities.

Virtucio added that the arrest of Monopolio also confirmed that Mindanao-based crime groups are now operating in Negros Oriental. (FREEMAN)