CEBU CITY – The cash reward for the arrest of the robbers who struck two jewelry shops here last week has doubled.
Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia on Monday, August 12, announced that the cash reward has increased from P100,000 to P200,000.
Garcia initially shelled out P100,000 in personal money that would be given to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
He said that he has close friends and businessmen who were willing to add more to the cash reward.
Garcia also announced that he has lifted the 48-hour ultimatum that he had given to the police to solve the crime.
Although no arrest has been made yet four days after the robbery, Garcia said he was satisfied with the investigation.
“I did not give a timeframe anymore because I saw some developments,” Garcia said.
Garcia added that he and acting Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief Police Col. Antonietto Cañete have been in close coordination.
According to Garcia, police already have three suspects and five witnesses. “We are strengthening our case build-up. I want to see this through that there would be a conviction,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the case has to be solved as Cañete’s position as CCPO chief is at stake.
The robbery took place just a few days after Cañete was named as CCPO chief. Garcia has made it known he wants another police officer to lead the CCPO even after Cañete’s appointment.
“His permanency will depend a lot on this particular case,” said Garcia.
The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) that was formed to solve the crime disclosed that there are already “persons of interest” in the crime.
Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, spokesperson of the SITG, said investigators are pursuing “very good leads” that may result to the identification of the perpetrators.
“So far, we have obtained very good leads but right now I'd like to refrain from revealing any details. There are really valuable information that we are holding that could lead us to identify some of the persons involved,” said Macatangay.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Visayas and intelligence unit of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas are actively involved in the manhunt operation, Macatangay added.