Rob victims unwilling to file case

LOCAL officials implored the help of victims in past robberies to earnestly pursue cases against their perpetrators.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan urged establishments, especially lodging houses and motels, victimized by robbers to file appropriate cases against four suspected robbers arrested by the police last May 22.

Suspected robbers arrested were Rexon Gawagen, Gibson Carchingan, Venis Liwan, and Junjun Chavez whom the police claimed have been involved in a series of taxi and motel robberies in the city.

According to the police, victims fear retaliation from companions of the robbers who are still at large.

The suspects were arrested after the police received a tip from a concerned citizen, continued vigilance of the community and alert foot and mobile patrols of the Baguio City Police Office.

Mayor Domogan said more than 12 complainants were mostly taxi drivers robbed of their earnings in various parts of the city and nearby towns.

BCPO Director David Lacdan said some establishments’ employees were hogtied and muzzled before being robbed of their personal belongings and earnings of their establishments.

The city’s top cop said victims often complain of the police not immediately acting on their cases but once they arrest the suspects, victims often fail to do their obligation to press charges against the criminals.

He said they cannot file strong cases against the robbers on their own claiming these would not be strong enough to ensure conviction and jail time for criminals.

He strongly urged victims to continue pressing charges against criminals stressing the importance of keeping them under the custody of the police since dismissing the charges against criminals would lead them back on the streets planning their next criminal activities.