Tuesday, November 28, 2006 Cafgus, 4 others ransack house By Ruby P. Silubrico
A COUPLE and an Australian guest lost money and jewelry after six armed men including two Cafgu members ransacked their house Monday morning at Barangay Sinubsuban, Maasin, Iloilo.
Anna, 54, her husband Roque Serra, 58, and their Australian visitor Victor Gutchie were surprised when armed men rushed inside their house at around 2 a.m.
At gunpoint, the robbers declared a hold-up. They carted away P24,530 in Philippine currency, 2,670 Australian dollars, 295 US dollars, 25 Canadian dollars, gold ring amounting to P20,000, necklace worth 100 US dollars, other valuables including bags, shoes, camera, cell phones wrist watch, and different cards amounting to 6,200 Australian dollars.
Director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Director Joel Napoleon Coronel said the robbers forcibly opened the gate before carting away the valuables.
The couple immediately called the police. A checkpoint was immediately in place until two of them were arrested.
Nabbed at the checkpoint on Poblacion, Maasin were Joel Perante, 37, and Carmelo Muel, also of Maasin Iloilo. They are reportedly Cafgu members and connected with the 12 Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
A .38 revolver was recovered from the duo's possession.
An investigation made by the Maasin police and Iloilo Police officers showed that a man close to the Serras gave information to the robbers that they have an Australian visitor who possesses a huge amount of money.
Guthcie came here several days ago to spend his vacation with the couple.
Coronel said they have identified the four robbers but he refused to reveal their names in order to ensure the success of their operations.
"Hopefully, we can arrest them as soon as possible and put them in jail. They are all identified and our men are working hard to arrest them," Coronel said.
