Pa robs to save baby, is caught

CEBU, Philippines -  A 25-year-old father, whose baby is allegedly fighting for life at the hospital, robbed his former employer in Barangay Liloan, Santander town on Friday noon.

John Cris Gutang Imbo, a former collector of Du Ek Sam Inc. and a resident of Valencia, Negros Oriental, robbed the motorcycle store and carted away P43, 600 cash believed to be the store’s sales.

He was, however, arrested by police while onboard a fastcraft as the vessel docked at the wharf of Amlan, Negros Oriental.

PO3 Noel Estender, desk officer, said Imbo robbed the establishment while the employees, who failed to lock the door, took their lunch at past 12 noon.

Imbo, wearing a jacket and a full-face tinted helmet, entered the door and demanded cash at a gunpoint from cashier Elena Tabares, 29.

After getting the money, the suspect sped off towards Samboan town onboard a Suzuki motorcycle bearing temporary plate 7TC-Q-4021.

Santander Police alerted other police stations as well as the Cebu Coast Guard detachment in the town that also coordinated with their counterpart in Negros Oriental.

“Ang mga seaports and wharf sa Negros Oriental gi-alerto na pud labi na na-recover ang motorcycle sa Pier 3 nga wharf sa (sea ports and wharf  in Negros Oriental were alerted especially that the motorcycle was recovered at Pier 3 of) Barangay Talisay, Santander,” Estender said in a phone interview.

Police learned that Imbo boarded a fast craft bound for Amlan.

Confiscated from Imbo were the P43,600 cash, a Colt .45 pistol with one magazine loaded with seven bullets, jacket, backpack, shoulder bag, and helmet.

Estender said Imbo was terminated by the store management almost a year ago for reasons he did not know.

“Basta kana iyang anak, mga buwan pa lang kuno na unya wala’y kwarta… Nag-convulsion kuno unya naa sa (his month-old child suffered from convulsion and is now at the) ICU (Intensive Care Unit of  Dumaguete Provincial Hospital),” he said.

Imbo’s family was reportedly surprised upon learning the incident knowing that his father was a retired army personnel.

“Hilumon ra man gud kuno ning bataa unya di gyud mangayo og tabang. Wala pud ta kahibalo ngano (He is a silent type of person who doesn’t ask for help. We also don’t know his reasons why),” the police officer said.

A charge of robbery is being prepa  red against Imbo, who is now detained at Santander police station.  (FREEMAN)