Rob convict captured while tilling farm

In their hunt for the 20 most wanted bank robbers in the country, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were led to this 43-year-old “farmer” tilling his land in Oroquieta City.

Crispin Bongolo Jr., of Barangay (village) Lower Rizal, Oroquieta City, was presented to the media Tuesday as an alleged member of the Ampang-Colangco robbery group said to be behind at least four bank heists in Metro Manila.

NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Services Ruel Lasala said Bongolo was captured on the second week of April while he was working on a farm in his home city.

Lasala said Bongolo was part of the armed group that got away with P36 million from Banco de Oro at SM South Mall in Las Piñas City on Aug. 7, 2004. Five security guards were wounded in the robbery.

Bongolo also allegedly took part in the June 27, 2007, robbery at the Philippine Savings bank in Cainta, where P171,000 were stolen; the Jan. 22, 2008, hit on LandBank – West Avenue in Quezon City, where robbers took off with P1 million; and the Aug. 11, 2008, armored van robbery at Blue Wave Mall on Sumulong Highway, Marikina City, where P2 million were stolen.

Lasala said Bongolo had been convicted for the 2004 Banco de Oro heist.