By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Three persons, including two police officers, were arrested for alleged robbery in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) chief Brig Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones said on Friday.
In a statement, Peñones said the two officers assigned to the Pampanga Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) will be facing robbery with intimidation and attempted kidnapping and administrative charges.
Based on the investigation, five unidentified armed men wearing black jackets, bonnets, and face masks forcibly entered a printing shop in Barangay Tabun at around 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Upon their arrival, the suspects tied residents of the area with cable straps and accused them of involvement in illegal drugs. The suspects disabled the establishment’s closed circuit television camera.
The suspects then fled with nine assorted high-end smartphones on board a black Toyota Vios with no plate number.
Peñones said operatives conducted follow-up operations that led to the recovery of the abandoned getaway vehicle in Barangay San Vicente, Sacobia, Bamban, Tarlac.
Upon inspection, police recovered a document that linked the vehicle to members of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit-Pampanga Police Provincial Office.
Coordination with the unit resulted in the arrest of two personnel and the return of the stolen items.
The involved individuals were immediately arrested and informed of their constitutional rights and a case of robbery with intimidation and attempted kidnapping was referred before the Office of the Prosecutor, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, through online inquest proceedings to Fiscal Frederick Lagrada against the suspects. (PNA)
