Police identify Metrobank-Binondo armed robbers

Police investigators have identified the five suspects that robbed the Metrobank Santo Cristo-Binondo  branch last July 11, GMA News' Mariz Umali reported on news program "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

The first two suspects to force their way into the bank were Gilcar Dumagan Mofan, also known as Jing Mofan, and Noli Bonifacio Casuela, who also went by the alias Lito Dapitan.

These two suspects entered the bank after claiming to be guards from the bank's security agency.

The suspect in a Grab uniform, believed to be the armed robbers' leader, was identified as Marlon "Ailon" Parojinog.

The last two suspects were identified as Michael, who went by the aliases "Pilay" and "Batang Calunod," and Frederex Secretario.

According to Manila Police District Director Police Brigadier General Vic Danao, the suspects belonged to the Parojinog Group, which was also known as the Bonifacio Group.

Danao added that the gangsters were hardened criminals who were considered to be armed and dangerous.

"Meron silang capability na pumatay," warned the police general.

The armed robbers were thought to be former members of the infamous Kuratong Baleleng robbery gang, and were likely the same gunmen that robbed the Metrobank Cagayan Branch July of 2018.

Uncooperative victim

Contrary to what bank employees originally claimed, the suspects did not take the security camera tapes with them. These tapes were left behind and were available to police investigators.

Furthermore, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno was perplexed by the bank management's failure to reveal how much money stolen.

"Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ano na uncooperative victim. that's the saddest part," said Moreno. "Although this money is insured, I believe so, but still why not give information on such amount na nadale. Bakit kailangang itago yun? Ano ang bsp protocol du'n?"

Neither was the Manila mayor convinced that the bank management was as cooperative as they could be.

"Hanggang ngayon, 'di nga nagfa-file ng complaint. Eh, kaya kawawa ang MPD rito. Kawawa ang city rito. Nililigaw kami in a way," he lamented. "I don't care about their money. I care about the safety of every possible victim."

However, Metrobank management insisted that they had been fully cooperating with police investigators since the day of the robbery.

They've turned in all the records, as well a security camera footage, investigators needed to solve the case.

The bank was likewise working with Manila authorities on the complaint that needed to be filed with the prosecutor's office.

Metrobank promised to continue working with Manila officials, and were thankful for their efforts to solve the case. — DVM, GMA News