NAGA CITY (Nov. 16) – Police investigators here are nearing the completion of their investigation into the fatal Jollibee Panganiban robbery two weeks ago. Metrobank security guard Rowenel Gavarra died from multiple gunshot wounds after being shot by the armed suspects. The fast-food chain's security guard, Joey Robarios, was also shot but survived the incident. Gavarra was with an employee of Metrobank, picking up around Php 212,000 in cash from the said establishment. The eight robbers were able to escape with the money by motorcycle.
Joselito Del Rosario, Executive Officer of the Public Safety Office (PSO), disclosed this information to Vox Bikol, saying that it is only a matter of time before the suspects are apprehended. According to Del Rosario, who is actively aiding the chief investigator Police Major Rodrigo Gutierrez, the eight suspects in the heist were not from Naga City or the Bikol Region. The suspects are allegedly highly-organized and mobile, traveling from province to province while conducting armed robberies and other criminal activities.
The PSO head also showed to Vox Bikol the pictures of the suspects and the alleged leader. The Jollibee heist was not the only incident in which the suspects were implicated. The group is also linked to a similar incident in Cavite province. Cavite policemen have since shared information with the Naga PNP and the suspects were positively identified by witnesses.
He also theorized that the suspects had close coordination with their contacts here in the city. Del Rosario says that the suspects were probably contacted by a local criminal syndicate to carry out the robbery. They were then provided with the weapons and intelligence needed to proceed.
As a result of the robbery, the city government has offered Php 100,000 for information leading to the arrests of the suspects. The Camarines Sur Bankers Association has also added Php 20,000 to the bounty.
A press conference is scheduled for Monday morning at the city hall. It is expected that details of the investigations will be made public.
Even with the findings of the investigation, Del Rosario also laments the sluggish pace of the justice system. Del Rosario fears that this might give the suspects a head-start.