Suspect in 8 robs caught

CEBU, Philippines - After more than two weeks of surveillance, the Dumaguete City Police finally arrested Jomark Bibe, a resident of Barangay Balugo, this city, the suspect in at least eight robberies within the preceding week of this month.

Superintendent Jovito Atanacio, chief of the Dumaguete Police, said the victims had identified Bibe as the man who held them up over the last three weeks. The suspect was 5 ft.-10 in. tall, of regular build and with a hoarse voice.

Atanacio said his men cornered Bibe at Barangay Pulantubig the other day after robbing a call center agent, 19-year-old Ramilyn Villarojo. Other victims that day were Marlee Moffat and Maria Meren Anticamara, who also lost their expensive cellphones and cash to the robber. The three gave description of the robber similar to Bibe’s.

Last Monday, the suspect victimized three women, one of whom was Doctor Julia Villanueva, assistant regional director of the Department of Health-7. The two others were Laurencia Jandog and Glynda Cortes, 79. All of them lost their cellphones and cash to the robber.

On October 13, the suspect robbed Jesice Caro of her cellphone and cash, and then held up Maria Pilarica Doromal of her cellphone and cash also.

Bibe, speaking to the media from inside the detention cell, denied the accusations of his victims, saying he was a victim of mistaken identity, because he was in his house all at the time of the reported robberies.   (FREEMAN)