Notorious robbery suspect nabbed in Cagayan de Oro, explosive seized


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- A notorious robbery suspect has been arrested by the local police here during the hot pursuit operation following the robbery incident that took place at the ground floor of Cogon Public Market in this city on Friday, June 3.

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), in a statement on Saturday, June 4, identified the suspect as Ranillo Madronero, 38, member of "BM 29" gang and a resident of Accresion area, Barangay Macabalan in this city.

Police report said Sowair Sarip Hamid, a security guard assigned in Cogon Public Market, reported the incident after an unidentified individual robbed a cellphone stall in the said market and stole six displayed cellular phones.

The Cogon Police Station 2 conducted an initial investigation by reviewing the CCTV (closed-circuit television) in the area, with coordination to some witnesses.

Maj. Evan Viñas, the COCPO spokesperson, told Manila Bulletin that police identified the suspect through the witnesses’ statements gathered during the pursuit operation.

“We identified the suspect through the statement of the witness. His identity for the meantime and the exact name of the suspect was extracted after the pursuit operation,” Viñas said.

Upon the arrest, the police confiscated the six stolen cellphones, amounting P20,000. They also confiscated one fragmentation grenade during the search and it was turned over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

Col. Aaron Mandia, the COCPO director, commended the community’s support to the police in maintaining the peace and order in the city.

“I also commend every concerned citizen in the community for their invaluable support being extended to the police. Any untoward incident may occur in the community, always call your nearest police station for immediate police assistance,” Mandia stressed.

The arrested suspect is now in the custodial facility of Cogon Police Station for filing of the case.