How robbers used mall drainage to steal P47 million in jewelry, cash in Ozamis City

With the arrest of four more suspects in the P47 million robbery of a mall in Ozamis City, police are learning how the heist took place.

In a report by Cyril Chavez of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao on 24 Oras, on Wednesday, police said the suspects gained entry to the mall via its drainage system.

Inside the Misamis Oriental mall, the suspects reportedly stole P47 million worth of cash and valuables from two jewelry shops and also forced open an automated teller machine (ATM).

April John Permanhil, one of the suspects earlier nabbed by authorities, served as a witness in the case. With his testimony and the help of volunteers who reenacted the entry, authorities have learned how the suspects staged the robbery. 

“’Yun talaga ang purpose natin na makita natin kung malaki ba talaga yung posibilidad na makapasok sa mga drainage na yun and nakita naman talaga natin na possible talaga,” said PRO 10 Spokesperson Police Major Joann Navaro.

(Our purpose was to find out whether it was possible to gain entry via the drainage and confirmed that it was.)

“Ginawa natin (si Permanhil na) witness during the course of investigation. Nakita nila na malaki talaga ang naging papel. I mean yung mga information na naibigay niya but magdepende rin yan sa mga complainant kung saan yung mga stall owner sa nasabing jewelry shop kung isasama nila,” said Navaro. 

(We turned him a witness and he gave us valuable information. It will now depend on the stall owner if he will press charges against the suspect.)

The suspects are now under the custody of the City Prosecutor’s Office and are facing robbery charges.

The Ozamis Police said the suspects admitted to the crime. Also recovered from them are the alleged stolen pieces of jewelry.

“We believe na kasama yun. Actually, yung mga pieces of jewelry na nakita sa ground is parang nahulog siguro sa pagmamadali siguro nila sa pagtakas o pagtransport nila ng mga jewelry,” Navaro added.

(We believe it is theirs. We think the pieces of jewelry were accidentally dropped while they were trying to escape.)

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the suspects for comment.

Meanwhile, police said they will continue their follow-up operations to arrest other suspects who remain at large.--Sundy Locus/RF. GMA Integrated News