‘A big slap’

A big slap on the face of the Mabolo police.

This was how acting city police chief Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el described the robbery of a pawnshop and money remittance agent in Cebu City which was just about 60 meters from the Mabolo police station.

“Considering the distance of Palawan (Express Pera Padala) and the police station, it was a big slap on the face of the Mabolo police,” Natu-el told reporters yesterday.

Three armed men robbed the pawnshop around 8 a.m. Tuesday and took at least P150,000 in cash and other valuables.

Two workers had just opened the shop when the robbers struck. The robbers fled on a motorcycle.

The shop had no security guard and a security camera during the incident.

It was only a few hours after the robbery that a security guard was detailed in the shop.

Natu-el said that Chief Insp. Ryan Devaras, chief of the Mabolo police, said operatives of the Mabolo police had just finished conducting a checkpoint when the robbery occurred.

Natu-el clarified he is not blaming the Mabolo police for failing to foil the robbery although the pawnshop was near the police station.

“Pipila lang ka minutes ang execution sa pagtulis. Dali ra kaayo (The execution of the robbery was so quick),” said Natuel.

Natu-el said the pawnshop management may have been too complacent that they didn’t hire a security guard since the establishment is just near the police station.

Natu-el said investigators still had no clues as to the identities of the robbers.