MANILA: Probers are looking into a possible inside job in the recent robbery at a businessman’s residence in Bulacan province, where seven police officers are implicated.
In a press briefing held in Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said three of the seven suspects — Maj. Armando Reyes, 55, assigned to the Hagonoy Municipal Police Station; S/Sgt. Anthony Ancheta, 48, detailed to the Malolos City Police Station; and Senior M/Sgt. Ronnie Galion, 43, assigned to the Sta. Maria Municipal Police station — are now under restrictive custody of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office.
They been charged with robbery before the prosecutor’s office.
”Yung tinitingnan natin ngayon na ‘yung isa sa tatlo ay kakilala nung mga biktima and possibly, siya mismo ang ulo dito sa nangyaring pagnanakaw dahil lumalabas sa initial investigation ay malapit nga itong isang pulis na ito doon sa mga biktima na maaaring nagamit na information na masagawa nila itong pag
nanakaw sa mga biktima natin (We are looking into that because one of the suspects know the victim and it’s possible that he is the mastermind of this robbery because according to our investigation, this officers is close to the victim and they might have used some information on the victims to carry out the robbery),’ Fajardo said.
The three police officers have been disarmed while the PNP Internal Affairs Service is conducting an investigation on possible administrative charges.
Fajardo said a manhunt is underway for the other four unidentified suspects.
Reports said the seven suspects entered the compound of victim Esmeraldo Magbitang Jr., 40, a businessman and a pharmaceutical supplier in Barangay Borol 2nd in Balagtas town, at about 10 a.m. Wednesday.
They pretended to ask for financial assistance, then suddenly pulled out their guns and declared a holdup.
The victim said the armed men then went inside his house and carted away mobile phones, bags, gadgets and a still undetermined amount of money.
The three suspects were arrested in a follow-up operation on Thursday.
Source: Philippines News Agency
