Over three million pesos in cash were lost to holduppers in Pilar town, Province of Capiz who claimed to be policemen.

The robbers flagged down a vehicle driven by one Jose Valsote who was with other victims, Daniel Acervo and Jose Billones. All three are employees of a softdrinks company.

The group was headed for Panay town in Capiz from Balasan town in the Province of Iloilo when they were stopped by four men who donned athletic uniform of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and introduced themselves as members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group from Balasan.

The incident happened in Barangay Sta. Fe in Pilar morning of January 5, 2025.

The victims said that the men pointed a gun at them.

“Mayroon umano silang dalang mga kontrabando, itong mga baril at (ilegal na) droga sa kanilang sasakyan,” Major Rachelle Garnica, chief of Pilar Municipal Police Station, said.

The victims were blindfolded and hog-tied reportedly.

One of the robbers commandeered the vehicle and drove toward Barangay San Blas in Pilar town, or about two kilometers away from Barangay Sta. Fe, and took the cash collection worth P3.1 million and three cheques worth a total of P1.5 million.

The holduppers fled on board a grey car.

According to Pilar Police, two of the robbers were identified.

“Pinatingnan natin ang ating Rogue’s Gallery sa mga involved before sa hold-up dito sa area ng Iloilo at area ng Capiz, may na-identify sila,” Garnica said.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 also clarified that no members of the PNP had conducted a checkpoint wearing their athletic uniforms; personnel at checkpoints do not go below eight members, and that they use marked vehicles or patrol cars.

"We have already sent memo sa ating mga lower units about this modus operandi. Hindi naman bago ito actually, but well, we say these cases are isolated one,” PRO 6 Director, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, said.

In a verification made by the Pilar Municipal Police Station, it was confirmed that there is no CIDG unit in Balasan, Iloilo. The CIDG Iloilo Field Unit is in Iloilo City.

The news team tried to get a statement from the softdrinks company, but GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas is yet to receive a reply, as of posting time.

(via GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas Desk)