Ozamiz robbers in Cebu; police brace for retaliation

Some members of the robbery group who were involved in the Sept. 6 foiled robbery in Robinsons Place mall have arrived in Cebu.

Police are on the lookout for these robbers who might retaliate after some of their members were killed in a shoot-out by police, said Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office.

“One way of retaliation is taking lives or attacking police precincts,” said Santander.

Santander said police personnel have been advised to take precautionary measures against the group’s possible retaliation.

Santander said the robbers from Ozamiz City who arrived in Cebu are the sub-group of the Junjun Cabando-led robbery group.

“There is no specific numbers yet on how many members have arrived in Cebu,” he said.

Last Sept. 6, Cabando and his group held up a bank teller who was delivering P1.2 million to a money changer outlet in the basement of Robinsons.

Police, however, foiled the robbery.

Robbers Mario Dapitan, Antonio Adelan and Nelson Magsanay were killed in a shoot-out with police.

Cabando was wounded but eluded arrest.

Two security guards were killed, while two policeman and a bank teller were injured.

“The three men (robbers) who died occupied high positions in their group so it is possible that they would retaliate,” he said.

Santander said Caban do had two companions identified only as Tonton and Bulljack.

Santander said based on their intelligence report, the sub-group is also planning to stage robberies in Cebu.

“We should always be vigilant,” said Santander./WITH CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON