CAMP Gen. Vicente Lim—The Region 4-A police has dismantled an armed robbery band that included at least three policemen who allegedly broke into two houses in a subdivision in Kawit, Cavite last Feb. 13.
Police regional director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, in a press briefing here, said the breakthrough came after investigators established ownership of a van used by the suspects who wore black jackets with long sleeves, caps, and face masks in pulling off the robbery on the two houses at the Grand Centennial Homes in Brgy. Magdalo-Potol in Kawit.
The thieves took off with still undetermined amount of cash, cellphones, a pistol, and some valuables, police said.
The owner of the vehicle, whose name was not disclosed, claimed that his van was rented on Feb. 13 by police SM/Sgt. John Paolo Maigue Mellona, an investigator of the Cavite Provincial and Detective Management Unit.
This lead to the identification of the other suspects in the case—SM/Sgt. Reynaldo Andrada Quilit Jr. and Cpl. Lynard Pastrana Pareja, both of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Laguna, two civilians and four others identified only as John Does.
Charges of armed robbery were being readied against the suspects for filing at the prosecutor’s office in Imus City, Cavite.
The three policemen implicated in the crime has been relieved of their duties and placed under custody.
Meanwhile, Lucas ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.
“I reiterate my clear stance against misconduct by any member of our force. We condemned such actions in the strongest terms and I assure the public that these officers, if found guilty, will meet the full force of the law,” he stressed.
“We will ensure the safety and security of our community and we shall have zero tolerance for any form of criminal activity involving members of our police force,” he added.