2 pawnshops lose P15M jewelry to robbers: Gone in seconds

CEBU, Philippines — Six masked men barged into two neighboring jewelry shops on Calderon Street, Brgy. Ermita, Cebu City yesterday morning and carted away various jewelry worth around P15 million.

This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) also yesterday to sustain the initiatives it has taken and ensure public confidence in law enforcers.

The president said this during the celebration of the “123rd Police Service Anniversary,” when he reminded all PNP personnel and officials of their sworn oath.

“Remember your mandate and [place public] safety and service [at] the core of your duty,” Marcos said in his speech at the PNP Headquarters in Quezon City yesterday.

“I also urge all police personnel to support the leadership of the PNP. I trust that you will sustain your current initiatives and take care of the people’s increasing confidence in the PNP’s abilities,” he said.

“So, as we commemorate your anniversary, we commend your sacrifices, hard work, and genuine service for the country, remember that your tasks, regardless of magnitude or gravity, leave an impact on the lives of our people,” he added.

Two Pawnshops

In the twin robbery incidents, the unidentified perpetrators targeted Macy’s Jewelry Store, which has been in operation since 2004, and D’Gold Chain (DGC) Jewelry Store, which was established in 1970.

Both stores are located just across the Freedom Park in the Carbon Public Market.

Initial investigation showed that the perpetrators, who were wearing motorcycle helmets to conceal their faces and were armed with both long firearms and handguns, entered DGC Jewelry Store around 11:45 a.m. and stole almost P5 million worth of jewelry.

They then proceeded to Macy’s Jewelry Store, taking around P10 million worth of jewelry.

A Macy’s saleswoman (name withheld) recounted that while they were attending to five or six customers, three armed men entered the store, pointed their guns at them, and ordered everyone to lie on the floor.

“Nag-entertain man gud ko’g customer. Pagkataudtaod, nadungog na namo sa akong kauban nga nagsyinagitay ang mga tao diri. Unya mao na, among nakit-an nga nagbitbit na’g mga pusil ang mga tao nga nisulod, so nihapa nalang gyud mi’g diretso,” she said.

CCTV footage from Macy’s showed that the three men took the displayed jewelry and placed them inside large bags. Three others were seen stopping customers from leaving the store.

The saleswoman also recounted that it only took the unidentified men just a few seconds to snatch all the necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and other items displayed in their store.

After robbing the two jewelry shops, the six men quickly fled on three motorcycles, taking different routes, including Lincoln Street.

DELAYED RESPONSE

Meanwhile, statements from beat patrollers and traffic enforcers indicated that their delayed response was because they were patrolling another area, with the perpetrators just waiting for them to pass by and out of sight before pouncing on the shops.

P/Col. Antonietto Cañete, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) acting director, personally responded to the crime scene to assist in the ongoing investigation to locate and identify the six men.

In response to what happened, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said yesterday that he is giving the local police 48 hours to solve the robbery incident.

“I am very disappointed that this happened here in the City of Cebu. We will investigate this matter. Akong ipatawag si Col. Cañete and I will give him exactly 48 hours to solve this criminal act,” he said.

Garcia also announced that he is looking into the possibility of giving a reward to those who can help in identifying the six men, who struck even with the intensified police visibility and beat patrol around the city.

He warned that Cañete becoming a full-fledged city director may be in jeopardy if he is not able to solve the crime within the period he specified.

The acting mayor has been vocal on his marching order for Cañete to fight criminality, saying he has yet to decide whether to recommend him as full-time city director, especially after a series of shooting incidents in the city.

Exactly a week ago, three shooting incidents transpired in the city, resulting in the death of two persons and injury to two others.

“Solve this problem (jewelry stores robbery), investigate, or else, I will reconsider other options when it comes to choosing the next CCPO director,” Garcia warned.

The acting mayor, who was with Cañete when he inspected the scene yesterday afternoon, suggested that CCPO should check if the incident is related to the Nov. 25, 2023 robbery on the Oro Sugbo Pawnshop and Jewelry Store on Colon St.

During the said robbery, seven men posed as National Bureau of Investigation agents to catch the security guard and the store staff off guard.

The CCPO already arrested six suspects in connection with that robbery, including the alleged mastermind who was later released from police custody December last year, after the robbery complaint was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, Iris Hazel Mascardo /RHM (FREEMAN)