A BANK in Cagayan de Oro commended 14 police personnel for successfully foiling a robbery attempt on June 22 at the national highway in Barangay Muntay, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.
In a letter addressed to Philippine National Police (PNP)-Northern Mindanao Director Conrado E. Laza, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) vice president and area business director Luis S. Montilla said at least six police personnel in the city immediately responded to the robbery incident by saving the transported dollars from BPI Ozamiz branch to BPI Cagayan de Oro.
The six police enforcers include Police Officer (PO) 1 Elmer Feliciano Robas, the chief of police in Kolambugan; Senior Police Officer (SPO) 2 Roland B. Baguio, PO3 Darius V. Panes, PO2 Nasher Omar, PO1 Celso Baleña, and PO1 Juniad Bacarat.
Montilla noted that the robbery attempt was has been resolved without loss of lives and property while the dollars were also fully recovered.
"The success was made possible thru the efforts, alertness and perseverance of the Kolambugan PNP authorities who, true to their sworn duties and responsibilities, immediately responded to the information given by a concerned citizen who happened to pass-by the area at the time of the robbery-hold-up," he said in the letter.
However, Montilla said that there are still two remaining suspects who are at large but still subject of continuing manhunt operation by concerned police authorities.
Montilla also commended eight additional personnel, SPO1 Wilson Miraflores, PO1 Anel Martinez Manoop, PO1 Kim Rizon Letigio, PO1 Marvin Palanas Jumawan, PO1 Edwin L. Natinga, PO1 Van C. Vistal, SPO2 Bienvenido Hildore, and SPO2 Teddy Procianos of Lala Police Station, who joined in the manhunt operation.
The police personnel later arrested the mastermind of the robbery, identified as a certain Regino Pallega, who fled from Kolambugan to Barangay Butadon in Lala, Lanao del Norte.
Montilla said the BPI management sincerely thank Laza and Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Orlando A. Beñas for unselfishly taking time in checking and monitoring the progress and development of the case. (Nicole J. Managbanag)