PNP DIRECTOR CAN’T BE REACHED

HIGHWAY robbers struck in three successive days, testing police resolve and capability against criminality in Pangasinan.

In the latest incident, some P2 million pesos were taken from victims who had just withdrawn money from the bank.

Holdupmen first struck early Tuesday morning in an isolated road in barangay Unzad, Villasis, robbing two bank employees of more than P800,000 in cash and checks.

Appraiser Alfredo Fernandez and Teodulfo Gamboa of the Rural Bank of Malasiqui were on board a motorcycle bound for Villasis when three armed and hooded motorcycle-riding men held them up in that barangay.

The following day, a couple working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on vacation in the country was robbed of some P335,000 on the way to Pozorrubio via Manaoag after withdrawing money from the Philippine National Bank branch in Urdaneta City.

The suspects were again on board a motorcycle as in previous holdup incidents.

Last Thursday, a businessman from Bolinao in western Pangasinan fell prey to robbers after withdrawing money from the PNB branch in Alaminos City. Reports said more than P1 million was taken from victim Napoleon Calza. He and a companion had just taken lunch at a restaurant in the city and were proceeding to the city proper when three suspects on motorcycle overtook them and declared a hold-up.

A suspect, Domingo Orilla, was reportedly arrested. He yielded a caliber .38 handgun with five live ammunition.

Earlier on Thursday last week, a businesswoman from Rosales was victimized of P250,000 while on board a tricycle for hire which was flagged down by the suspects posing as law enforcers, police said.

The robbery incidents followed almost the same pattern, with the motorcycle-riding holdup men trailing the victims after withdrawing money from the bank.

Police again theorized the suspects may have planted some lookouts in the banks posing as clients.

Gov. Victor E. Agbayani, it will be recalled, ordered the Pangasinan police office to intensify the campaign against criminality robbery and illegal gambling using video machines like ameneng and hataw.

Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima, in response, ordered his men in the field to step up their anti-crime efforts.

The criminals, it appears however, are paying no heed and taunting police efforts as they stage the holdups with impunity.
Criminal groups operating in the province apparently are still intact with their stepped up activities for the past few days despite claims by police operatives in December last year that they have dismantled two holdup groups, including the Patricio gang in barangay Bolo, San Jacinto.

The gang is said to be operating in that town and nearby Pozorrubio. (DOS)