2 town mayors cuddling Ozamiz gang members?

CEBU, Philippines - After abandoning plans to rob an establishment in a mall in Cebu City, the Ozamiz robbery group is reportedly being hidden from view by at least two mayors in Cebu, a police official said.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel, Jr., acting director of the Cebu City Police Office said intelligence report have been received which indicate that robbery gang leader Aylon Parojinog and his companions are staying at rest houses owned by incumbent town mayors in north and in south of Cebu.

"We received information that the group takes refuge sa mga mayor diri sa Cebu," Natu-el revealed. Parojinog's group has about eight members, Natuel said.

He said they are verifying if the mayors have knowledge about the group staying at their properties and if the group now works for the politicians.

"Maybe gihimo sila rong bata-bata sa maong mayor or gigamit lang nila ang rest house nila and wala pa'y knowledge ang mayor," Natuel said.

The CCPO director said the Regional Intelligence Division, which received the information, cannot easily arrest the suspects even though they have confirmed the group's presence because they need to countercheck every detail of information before taking action.

With this recent development, Natuel said he has tasked City Intelligence Branch head Chief Insp. Romeo Santander and his men to inspect pension houses here in Cebu City and in neighboring cities, where the group will most likely stay.

Since the robbery was thwarted, Natuel said the group has been transferring from one place to another and even stayed at a low-class pension house here in the city before escaping to the northern and southern part of the province.

Last May 2, Parojinog's group had allegedly planned to rob an establishment at a Cebu City mall but retreated after spotting the police.

They disappeared and abandoned the van at the mall's parking lot where police later recovered nine firearms.  (FREEMAN)