The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has pointed to the Tolentino criminal gang as the one allegedly behind the multi-million pawnshop robbery in Davao City on February 26, 2025.

Police said the gang is an alleged breakaway group of the Ozamiz robbery-holdup group responsible for the series of robbery incidents that targeted courier service providers in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Cebu.

“Ang tumatayong leader nila ngayon ay si Marvin Beronguis aka Tata. He is now the leader. He is with the alleged financiers, Ramil, Takyo and Davao contact. We have identified the Davao contact but we will not tell it now because there is an ongoing operation,” DCPO Director, Col. Hansel Marantan, said.

Police said a member of the group, Johnny Dehito Bulawan, was arrested after the incident.

Authorities are still hunting down other suspects identified as Jimmy Calo, Jade Lasula Dadang, a certain Rodolfo and Jack, and two others who are yet to be identified.

Calo was allegedly the one who drove the sports utility vehicle (SUV) that was recovered in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

“Si Johnny pumunta sa Argao, Cebu to meet alias Tata. And then after Cebu, they went to Gahug, Gingoog to meet Jerome. So, lumalabas, tatlo sila na hardcore sa Tolentino Group this time,” Marantan added.

The suspects reportedly arrived in Davao City and checked in at an inn two days before the incident.

Police said the eight suspects used two motorcycles and an SUV during their escape.

The suspect arrested reportedly admitted that he used illegal drugs before committing the crime. He was reportedly hired in January 2025.

He also said they wanted to create chaos in Davao City.

“Kuan lang, samukon lang kuno ang Davao,” Bulawan said.

Bulawan said he joined the group to earn money.

“Ako, sa tinuod lang, dili man unta ko mudayon adto kay pagkahibalo nako nga Davao, wala lang ko kaback-out kay wala naman koy pamasahe pauli sa Manila,” Bulawan said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao has reached out to the local government for a comment to Bulawan’s statements.

Meanwhile, DCPO confirmed that the suspects are no longer in the city and charges have been filed against them.