Robbers enter through mall drainage, take P35 million in cash, jewelry

Robbers made away with at least P35 million worth of jewelry and P721,000 in cash from a jewelry store inside a mall in Ozamiz City. 

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras," the staff discovered the store's vault broken into and cleaned out upon their arrival on Monday. 

It was supposed to be their first day of sales this year. 

"Gumawa sila ng malaking butas, dumaan doon ang mga suspek. May dala silang martilyo, barena, ganun po. Sa food court, doon sila lumabas, tapos binutasan nila yung roll-up para makapasok sila sa may grocery. Tapos sa store namin, binutasan nila yung glass door namin," said jewelry store manager Jerica Reyes. 

(The suspects made a big hole and went through it. They had a hammer and a drill. They came out into the food court, then they punched a hole in the roll-up so they could enter the grocery store. At our store, they made a hole in our glass door.)

The suspects were able to open the store's vault.

"Binasag po nila yung vault, hindi ko alam ano ginamit nila. Nagtataka po kasi ako, kasi mabigat ang vault namin, double door at double lock. Hindi ko alam paano nila binuksan at winasak yung vault namin," she said. 

(They broke the vault, I don't know what they used. I'm wondering because our vault is heavy, it's double door and double lock. I don't know how they opened and destroyed our vault.)

After the jewelry shop, the suspects then broke into an ATM. It is not yet certain how much was taken from the machine. 

According to the police investigation, the suspects infiltrated the drainage system, from which they broke into the shopping mall.

"Doon sila sa parang food court nakapasok, ginamitan ng equipment para mabuksan nila yung harang na metal," said Police Major Euredicy Revillas, Deputy Chief of Police, Ozamiz City. 

(They entered a food court, and used equipment to open the metal barrier.)

The suspects also allegedly destroyed the store's security camera. 

Three suspects and at least five persons of interest are currently in police custody. They are from the community where the tunnel is believed to have been dug.

"May butas siya sa ilalim, heading ngayon doon sa peryahan. Doon sa area na 'yun, may mga nakatira sa kubo-kubo, chineck natin yung mga residents doon," said Revillas. 

(The hole leads to a fair. In that area, there are people who live in huts, we've checked them, we have to conduct questionings.)

However, the police admitted that there may be other people behind the robbery. 

"Tinitingnan natin na baka kasi itong mga nasa police custody, ay ginamit lang. Ine-encourage namin yung mga citizen na baka matulungan kami na mag report sila any lead or info that would help the PNP solve the case," she added. 

(We are looking into the possibility that those in police custody were just used. We are encouraging the citizens who might help us to report any lead or info that would help the PNP solve the case.) 

The mall is also said to be cooperating with the investigation. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News