A case for robbery in band has been filed against three of nine suspects in the heist of two jewelry shops in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, that includes a policeman based in the National Capital Region.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) filed the case based on the pieces of evidence gathered and the testimonies from at least eight witnesses presented by the police at the city prosecutor’s office.

The driver of the gray sport utility vehicle (SUV) used as a getaway vehicle who was arrested by members of the Special Investigation Task Group in Paknaan, Mandaue City was among those charged. The others are a policeman who owns reportedly the getaway vehicle, and a certain "Gab."

The person identified as a “look-out” is not yet included in the charges, as of posting time, as police are still in the process of preparing the evidence against him.

The case was pursued by Carbon Police under the supervision of Police Colonel Antonietto Cañete, CCPO director, and Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Garcia expressed satisfaction in the leadership of Col. Cañete. He said that it is likely Cañete will be appointed permanently as chief of the city police. However, Garcia is still waiting for a list of choices from the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the post. 

To recall, two jewelry stores in Calderon Street, Barangay Ermita were robbed on August 8, 2024. The metallic gray Mitsubishi Adventure bearing plate number DAB 5200 was recovered in Zone Sibuyas, Barangay Paknaan on the night of August 14, 2024.