Complaints filed vs 3 pawnshop robbery suspects

CEBU, Philippines — Criminal complaints for robbery in band were filed before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor yesterday against three individuals who were identified as allegedly involved in robbery of two jewelry shops on Calderon Street, Brgy. Ermita, Cebu City last Aug. 8.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) acting Director Antonietto Cañete and Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, together with eight witnesses, were present during the filing.

Among the three individuals is Police Master Sergeant Clyford De Guzman Aragona of Region IV, who is believed to be the owner of the silver/gray Mitsubishi Adventure used as the getaway vehicle.

Cañete said they will handle the preparation of the administrative complaints against Aragona.

Additionally, Cañete mentioned that they will announce the action taken regarding the police officer's restrictive custody, in due time.

Authorities also sued Marcial Ponesto, allegedly a local contact and was identified as the driver both before and during the crime.

Ponesto, 31, of Barangay Pagsabungan, Mandaue City, Cebu, was arrested at the location where the vehicle was recovered in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City last Aug. 13.

The third person was identified as Gabriel S. Estrada, a resident of Brgy. Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City.

The police said Estrada, who is currently at large, was believed to be the cohort of Ponesto in disposing of the firearms used during the crime.

A person identified as “Mikmik,” who was arrested in a buy-bust operation and allegedly acted as a lookout during the robbery, has not yet been charged as the police are still awaiting results from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU).

Mikmik, 42, of Upper Torralba, Brgy. Apas, Cebu City, was identified through a CCTV footage of the robbery and was confirmed as being at the "immediate periphery" of the crime scene.

Cañete mentioned that, alongside Mikmik, at least seven “John Does” are still under investigation, and while further complaints may be filed once the RACU results are in, he remains confident in the three men’s involvement in the crime.

Authorities had said the robbers were members of the Mindanao-based Parojinog Robbery Group.

“Kailangan nating i-formalize yan because of our cybercrime law na dapat it should be examined by the RACU-7 para walang technicalities pagdating sa korte. It must be (an) airtight filing of the case, with the supporting evidence,” Cañete said.

“Swift investigation”

Meanwhile, Garcia praised the “swift investigation” by the police as well as the filing of complaints against those responsible for the crime.

“The swift investigation and filing are really highly commendable and it will send out gyud a message sa atong mga criminal elements in Cebu nga do not mess with the city of Cebu because…we are very serious when it comes to fighting criminality,” he said.

The acting mayor also emphasized that the filing of the complaints has not been rushed, noting that he has reviewed the affidavits and attachments, which he found to be meticulously prepared.

He expressing optimism that this thorough work would lead to a conviction of the suspects.

Meanwhile, on Cañete’s designation as CCPO acting director, Garcia said he has not yet received the requested list of five names from the Philippine National Police.

He said that if Cañete’s name would be in the list, he would seriously consider him for the role as full-fledged CCPO director due to his notable contributions in the investigation.

“Most definitely si Col. Can?ete will be one of those that I will consider and reconsider, labi na karon nga dako kaayo ni’g feather on his cap, so to speak, sa kani nga particular (nga kaso),” Garcia said. — /RHM (FREEMAN)