“Laglag barya” members charged

CEBU, Philippines - Nine “laglag barya” members are facing charges before the court for theft.

 Prosecutor III Aida Sanchez held Jomar Balwa, Cemplecio Conde alias Virgilio Reyes, Arnold Losarito alias Dodot, Rosalie Gerodias alias Bambie, Jody Lasong alias Jody, Jonar Alodria alias Tantan, Mary Ann Abrasaldo alias Lalang, Edna Garcia alias Gina Cabio and Roel Tiongson alias Jamboy for trial.

 “Based on the allegations of the complainant and the fact that her bag was recovered from the possession of the respondents and there being no evidence to controvert the same, there is reasonable ground to believe that the crime of theft had been committed and that the respondents are probably guilty thereof,” read the resolution.

 Sanchez recommended P40,000 bail for the temporary liberty of each accused.

 Lucy Browell, 58, a resident of Talamban, Cebu City, alleged that around 5:45 p.m. on July 31, 2015, while she was driving, she stopped along J.M Del Mar Ave. I.T. Park, in Apas to withdraw money.

 When she stopped, she alleged that a man approached the driver set side of her car and knocked twice stating “Mam naay coins natagak luyo sa imung sakyanan.”

 “That I stepped out from my car and check the aforementioned coins at the back of my car,” she said, adding she saw lot of coins in the step board and some were scattered in the ground.

 Browell picked the coins up and when she went back to her car to get her bag, she was surprised that it was no longer in the passenger side.

 She believes the person who knocked on her window diverted her attention and took her bag, which contained valuables and cash amounting to P165,000.

 “I asked for help to the security guard posted at the BPI Bank, and he assisted me to locate the male person and his cohorts, believed to be a Laglag Barya group who operated in Cebu City,” she said but failed to locate.

 Browell reported the incident before the Mabolo Police Station.  Browell later got information from her nephew that the Laglag Barya group was arrested by Mandaue City Police.

 Browell was able to identify the group’s members and was able to recover her bag, which was already empty.  (FREEMAN)