1 suspect in Cebu robbery 'involved' in Bacolod Mall heist

THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is now coordinating with the Mandaue City Police Station in Cebu after one of the suspects who were arrested after a robbery inside a mall admitted that he was involved in a robbery incident in Gaisano City Mall in Bacolod City on August 10.

BCPO Director Henry Binas said the police director of Mandaue contacted him on Sunday, October 20, asking them some information about the robbery group that operated in Bacolod in August.

He said it was confirmed Monday, October 21, that one of the suspects admitted that he participated in the robbery in Bacolod City.

"We are now coordinating with the Mandaue police station to get his name and to determine the companions of the suspect," he added.

On October 19, four suspects who were involved in robbery in a mall in Mandaue City were killed after allegedly resisting arrest while five others were arrested.

The suspects carted away an estimated P116 million worth of jewelry and cash.

On August 10, the BCPO filed a robbery complaint against three of the 10 suspects who robbed the two jewelry stores in Gaisano City Grand Mall.

Charged were Marlon Parohinog, Philip Bonn Rabenes, and Kenneth Bonon, all residents of Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental.

On August 7, more than 10 unidentified assailants, who were armed with long and short firearms, destroyed the stall glasses of Haoling Jewelry Store and F&C Pawnshop and Jewelry Store using a hammer and carted away P4.5 million worth of jewelry from Gaisano City Grand Mall.

The three suspects were identified through closed-circuit television camera footages from the mall, as well as the statement of witnesses.

Binas said that Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, deputy city director for operations of BCPO, can also help the investigation since he is also familiar with the case of the Ozamiz group.