CEBU CITY – The daylight robbery of two pawnshops in Barangay Ermita here on Thursday, August 8, was the handiwork of professional robbers, police said.
As the police continued to track down the robbers, acting Mayor Raymond Garcia dangled a reward to anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the robbers.

FORENSICS investigators gather pieces of evidence in one of two jewelry shops in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City robbed by armed men on Thursday, August 8. (Photo courtesy of MyTV Cebu)
“The reward will be P100,000 initially coming from my pocket,” Garcia told reporters on Friday, August 9.
Garcia said the reward will still increase as he has close friends and some businessmen who are willing to contribute for the cash reward.
“There are a lot of businessmen and close friends who are only after the welfare of the city and our peace order and willing to chip in,” said Garcia.
Garcia has instructed the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to solve the robbery in 48 hours.
Police Major Philip John Libres, chief of the Carbon Police Station, said investigators have been reviewing security cameras to track down the robbers.
Libres said initial investigation showed that there were eight persons involved in the robbery of Macy’s Gold and Silver Jewelry Store and DGC D’ Gold Chain and Jewelry Store.
At least P14 million worth of jewelry was stolen from the two shops, police said.
Police have recovered a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the robbers as a get-away vehicle.
Lawmen will coordinate with the Land Transportation Office to identify the owner of the motorcycle found abandoned in a parking area at the back of a store on Burgos St.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit, and the National Bureau of Investigation are helping the Carbon police in the investigation.
Libres said the twin robberies in Ermita can be compared to the robbery of Oro Sugbo jewelry shop on Colon St. last November.
The execution of the three robberies were similar and the robbers were armed with long and short firearms, Libres said.