Robbery suspect charged

Police yesterday filed a string of charges against Ozamiz robbery gang member Junjun Cabando in relation to the botched armored van heist at Robinsons Place in Cebu City last Sept. 5.

Cabando, who is at large, was charged in the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office with two counts of robbery with homicide, two counts of frustrated homicide and robbery with physical injuries.

Three unidentified cohorts who acted as lookouts will be charged later for conniving with Cabando.

A total of seven men carried out the holdup, which resulted in the death of two private security guards, said Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief.

He said the police will file another set of complaints against persons who helped Cabando escape arrest.

“Based on the information we received, Cabando has returned to Ozamiz City,” Buenafe told reporters.

He said police are coordinating with counterparts in Ozamiz to arrest Cabando and the other perpetrators.

The heist involved P1.2-million cash being delivered by a ChinaBank armored van to a money changer outlet in the basement of Robinsons Place.

Bank teller Lewin Surig who carried the money bag was shot in the leg.

The robbers got hold of the bag and were about to flee when a police patrol vehicle on the way to the Palace of Justice responded to the shooting alarm.

Three suspects were killed in the shootout.

Cabando, who was shot in the buttocks, was able to ride a taxi and escape.

Two policemen, PO1 Elrich Jourdin Catacutan and PO1 Roy Ceniza, also got wounded.

Catucatan, Ceniza and Surig went to the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office yesterday.

Catacutan, who is assigned at the Mobile Patrol Group, said the Sept. 5 incident reinforced his commitment to police work.

“Mas nadasig ko sa trabaho isip pulis. Before mi ni-take oath, gi-orient mi nga half sa amo life is in danger (I’m more inspired to do my job as a policeman. Before we took our oath, we were forewarned that half of our life is exposed to danger),” said Catucutan, who was shot in the leg.