Courtesy: Ozamis Police Station FB page
POLICE arrested and set to file complaint against five robbers who allegedly dug through a popular shopping mall in Ozamiz City on New Year’s Eve.
The stolen loot totaling at least ₱29.8 million, police said.
The Ozamiz City Police said the complaint will be filed on Wednesday afternoon against five workers from a small amusement park (peryahan) located beside Gaisano Mall.
It said a co-worker and a regular bettor pointed to the identity of the burglars.
“Merong witness na nagbigay ng statement na mga kasamahan nila ang tumira. Nakunan na ng mga gamit — mga suot nila at mga tools na ginamit sa pagbutas,” investigator PSMS Mark Alvin Pacatang told CNN Philippines in a phone interview.
The police said the robbers dug a tunnel from the fair’s compound to a nearby drainage, leading up to Gaisano Mall’s food court area. Pacatang said the robbers’ entry and exit points weren’t easily visible.
“Hindi namin makita sa tabi ng mall ang exit nila. May tauhan kaming pinapasok sa butas at hinalughog ang ilalim… Doon na sila sa perya, sa likod (lumabas). Hindi makikita ng tao kasi nasa tabi ng pader, diretso sa drainage,” he said.
The investigator said the burglars forcibly opened an automated teller machine where they were able to steal around ₱50,000 to P80,000.
He added they also stole ₱29 million worth of jewelry and ₱721,000 in cash from Oro Italia Fine Jewelry Shop, while another jewelry shop that was also victimized is still ascertaining how much it lost.
Despite the arrest of the five robbers, authorities are continuing the manhunt operation to look for possibly more perpetrators as Pacatang said they are receiving many names allegedly involved in the crime. He added they are also hoping to recover the rest of the stolen loot.
