Armored van escapes attack

AN armored van traveling along the Cansaga Bay Bridge was strafed by unknown assailants armed with high powered armalite rifles last Friday noon.

But the bullet was unable to penetrate the vehicle’s armor and the driver successfully maneuvered away from the attackers said Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, chief of Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB).

The front passenger side of the vehicle was hit by bullets.

Bastes said the armored van was coming from the northern part of the province around  noon last Friday. He said the incident is still being investigated.

Bastes said the office of Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) and the IDMB is monitoring a group of bandits from Mindanao who are reportedly operating in Cebu.

Bastes said their leader, a certain Ricky Cambal Cadavero, recently escaped from New Bilibid Prison in Manila.

The police official also advised the public to be extra vigilant against criminal elements out to  exploit the annual Christmas season rush.

Bastes said people should be extra careful especially when withdrawing money from automated teller machines.

Those  going on vacation must leave someone in the house or perhaps ask a neighbor to look for their houses while they are away, Bastes said.

On the other hand, Bastes said there were less criminal incidents involving motorcycle-riding assailants in November compared to October.

Of the 24 incidents involving assailants on motorcycles last month. 37 incidents were recorded in October, the police official said./Correspondent Jucell Marie P. Cuyos