AUTHORITIES have filed a case against the apprehended suspect in connection with the December 23, 2024, robbery at Purok 4, Poblacion, Compostela, which claimed the life of a security guard.
The Davao de Oro Police, in collaboration with other law enforcement units, apprehended the suspect following investigations and hot pursuit operations on December 24.
Evidence gathered during the investigation led to the filing of criminal charges against the suspect whose name is withheld so as not to jeopardize the ongoing police procedures to capture the remaining suspects.
Compostela Mayor Levi Ebdao, in a statement, thanked the authorities for the arrest of the suspect.
Ebdao said a motorcycle was used in the robbery, but the suspects later transferred to a vehicle to exit town. They were traced through CCTVs of some private establishments passing to other towns.
As of the present, the investigation is still ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and others involved in the crime.
The mayor said it was also discovered that the suspects had been involved in a series of robberies in Cotabato and Bayugan in recent months. They were previously released on bail and had private legal counsel.
"Naka-deploy ug padayong nagasuroy atong kapulisan sa tibuok Lungsod sa Compostela. Pero bisan paman ana, di nila kayang mabantayan ang tanan. Among pahinumdom, na padayon ang pagiging alerto ug pag amping sa tanang panahon," Ebdao said.
The mayor said he personally updated the victim's family and will provide them with the latest developments regarding the incident.
Aside from killing bank security guard James Crucio, the robbery also resulted in the loss of P3,672,270.
Ebdao, along with Davao de Oro First District Congressman Maricar Zamora, and Barangay Captain Raul Mabanglo offered a ₱200,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspects to expedite the resolution of the case.
Ebdao emphasized that the reward money aims to encourage individuals to come forward with leads to help solve the crime swiftly.
BDO Network Bank, the bank where the robbery incident happened, said in a statement that they are cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
The bank also sent condolences to the family of the slain security guard.
"The bank will provide the necessary support to the family during this difficult time," BDO said in a statement. DEF