SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – A member of the Northern Police District-Special Weapons and Tactics (NPD-SWAT) team was arrested on Thursday, July 13, in Barangay Talang here for allegedly robbing his future mother-in-law of P156,000 to pay for his wedding with the businesswoman’s daughter.
The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office identified the suspect as Police Corporal Jhomel Dassil Blas, 29, of Barangay Hacienda Intal, Baggao, Cagayan.
Initial investigation said the victim, Maria Carino, 64, was walking on her way home when Blas, accompanied by his brother Jerick, 27, a security guard, appeared and forcibly grabbed the P156,000 in sales from her agricultural supply store and escaped on board a getaway vehicle.
Carino told police in a follow-up investigation that she recognized one of the suspects as Jhomel, the boyfriend of her daughter.
The victim also told police that the getaway vehicle was a black sedan usually used by Jhomel when he visits them.
Police launched a hot-pursuit operation that resulted in the apprehension of Jhomel in Sitio Dopong, Barangay Baldog, this city.
Seized from his possession were a sack containing assorted clothes, flood boots, android cellphones, sling bag, gas mask, pepper spray, and the key of the getaway vehicle.
The getaway vehicle was recovered parked near the house of the victim adjacent to a bridge in Barangay Talang. Found in the vehicle were guns and bullets, Philippine National Police ID, Landbank ATM, bandolier, black SWAT fatigue and other uniforms, and license plates ABR-9224.
Police continued the follow-up operation and arrested Jeric in Barangay Roxas Boulevard here. Suspect yielded several ID cards.
Jhomel pinpointed where they hid the money. This was recovered intact near area where the getaway vehicle was recovered.
Suspects and pieces of evidence are now under the custody of San Carlos City police station for proper disposition.
The Pangasinan PPO vowed to uphold the law even if a police officer is involved.
“The Pangasinan PPO will never condone and tolerate any wrongdoings of fellow policemen, and we will be more aggressive in making sure they will face the full force of the law,” Police Col. Jeff Fanged, Pangasinan police chief, said.
“We will strive to cleanse our own ranks of undeserving personnel in support of the chief PNP's five-focus agenda, one of which is integrity enhancement focusing on the internal cleansing program of the entire organization."
Police said lack of money for the wedding prompted Jhonel to rob Carino.