CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan—The police region 3 office offered a P2.5 million worth bounty to help them identify and arrest the four other suspects in the P30-million worth robbery incident victimizing a businessman in Balagtas town last week.
Police region 3 director PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr. said on Tuesday that a private donor is behind the bounty to help them acquire leads and information on the identity and arrest of the four still at large suspects. However, his office refused to name the donor.
Businessman Emerson Magbitang, 35, who is engaged in trucking and pharmaceutical business at gunpoint at about 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 28 was robbed of the said amount while inside his house in Saint Francis Subdivision, Barangay Borol 2nd, Balagtas town. While personally knowing one of the seven suspects, he immediately reported the incident to Balagtas police station.
Three of the seven suspects who were earlier identified by Bulacan Police Director Col. Satur Ediong as PSSg Anthony Ancheta, 48 assigned at City of Malolos police station; Police Maj. Armando Reyes, assigned at Hagonoy police station and PSMS Ronnie Galion, 43, from Sta. Maria police station were arrested in a follow-up operation. However, four of their companions who have yet to be identified remained at large.
Magbutang and other motorists including Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage outside the house of the victim have also helped identify the three arrested police suspects.
They were charged with robbery before the Bulacan Prosecutors Office in the City of Malolos on Aug. 30.
Hidalgo said that although the three suspects have already been apprehended, they are actively pursuing their accomplices and that the bounty now provided by a private donor would help them hasten resolving the incident.
“Offering monetary rewards to private individuals who can aid in solving cases has proven to be a highly effective strategy in promoting community participation in combating security threats and criminality across the nation,” the region 3 police director said in a press statement.
“We call on anyone with knowledge or vital information about the suspects to report to the nearest police station or contact the PNP Hotline Numbers 09998838327/09176235700, or reach out via our social media (Facebook Page – Police Regional Office 3).”
Hidalgo has earlier assailed the incident involving three of his men in the region.
In a statement released to media on Saturday, he said the incident has once again cast a shadow over the police force undermining the trust they have diligently worked to build with the public.
He said he personally visited the Bulacan police provincial office and addressed and instructed all unit commanders to remind their personnel to uphold the law and never engage in illegal activities.
“Let me be clear, we do not, and will never condone any unlawful acts committed by members of our ranks. However, given the seriousness of these allegations, it is crucial to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the full truth. Rest assured that there will be no cover ups. If found guilty, those responsible will be held accountable and face the consequences of their actions,” Hidalgo said.
“We have remained resolute in our commitment to internal cleansing, ensuring that those who betray the public’s trust will be punished and removed from the service,” the regional director added.
