3 suspects in robberies of 2 jewelry stores in Cebu City charged
CEBU CITY — Charges have been filed against three men for their alleged involvement in the robbery of two jewelry stores here last August 18.

Charges for robbery in band were filed against Marcial Pacol Ponesto, 31, a certain Gab, and a non-commissioned police officer, who was the alleged owner of the vehicle used by the suspects as a getaway vehicle.
The policeman is assigned in National Capital Region but is renting a house in Barangay San Antonio-Jubay, Liloan town, Cebu.
Police Col. Antonietto Cañete, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said the three men are among the eight individuals who robbed the Macy’s Gold and Silver Jewelry Store and DGC D’ Gold Chain and Jewelry Store.
Cañete said the Special Investigation Task Group has already identified all the suspects but it opted to file charges against the three perpetrators first pending the result of other digital evidence.
Among those who have not been charged yet is Michael Obaob Puno, a resident of Barangay Apas who was the alleged lookout of the robberies.
Of the three suspects who were charged, it is only Ponesto who is under police arrest after he was caught driving the Mitsubishi Adventure that was allegedly used as a getaway vehicle.
Canete said that aside from criminal charges, the policeman is also being investigated administratively for his alleged participation in the crime.
Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia witnessed the filing of the charges at the city prosecutor's office.
Garcia commended the police for filing the charges just weeks after the robberies.
“We can say that this was not hastily done. I examined the affidavits, the attached annexes, the cases are air-tight. Hopefully this will lead to a conviction," Garcia said.