Rob gang slips away

Police swooped down on a pension house in downtown Cebu City in an attempt to corner suspected members of a robbery group whose reported plan to rob a pawnshop in the North Reclamation Area last Thursday was averted.

However, operatives of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) was a bit too late as the two rooms where the suspected robbers believed to have stayed were already empty when they arrived past 9 p.m. Friday.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., chief of the CCPO, said the CIB operatives arrived at the Hope Pension House in Manalili Street just a few minutes after the occupants left.

“Minutos lang gyod ang gap,” Natu-el said.

Natu-el said police went to the pension house after receiving a tip that suspicious persons had checked in the place.

Natu-el said the informant heard a man asking his companion about an “operation” that failed.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of CIB, said they had to plan first what move to make that caused them to arrive at the pension house late.

Natu-el said they are reviewing the footage of the pension house’s security camera and the names given by the guests before they checked in.

Police believed that the persons who checked in at the pension house were the same people who abandoned a van containing firearms and tools at the parking lot of SM City.

Police said they suspect that the group from Ozamiz City planned to rob a pawnshop but dropped the plan when they noticed the presence of police.

One of the suspected robbers was identified as Aylon Parojinog, who is facing robbery charges in Metro Manila, police said.

The suspected robbers blindfolded the driver of the van. The driver managed to escape and sought help from the police.

Recovered in the van were seven caliber .45 caliber pistols, two KG 9 Ingrams, a hand grenade, and two wrenches, a hammer, three nylon sack and two traveling bags.

Natu-el said they believed that the group will not be going back to Mindanao until they recoup the expenses they incurred in purchasing the guns.

Police said the group may have acquired the guns from Danao City.