GASATAYA and Rebadomia. (Bacolod City Communications Office)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Greg Gasataya and the Bacolod City Police Office have offered a P200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects who robbed a 30-year-old doctor in Barangay 19 here.
Mayor Greg Gasataya and Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, Bacolod police director, conducted a press briefing on Saturday, May 30, to discuss the incident.
A video of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage posted on social media went viral showing the victim trying to resist two unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects who forcibly took her bag at gunpoint while she was about to enter the gate of her boarding house on Thursday night, May 28.
The doctor, who was injured, had just arrived from a 24-hour duty and lost her cellphone for work.
Rebadomia said they have mobilized their intelligence personnel to identify the suspects. He added that they are backtracking and have collected statements from witnesses.
BCPO records said only 20 robbery incidents have been reported since January this year, with 17 cases solved, and one under further investigation.
Police acknowledged the concern that this incident has brought to the public.
Rebadomia said that the BCPO has arrested perpetrators of similar cases, but there were victims who refused to press charges against the suspects due to fear.
Rebadomia said that the incident has reached the national headquarters which expressed alarm over the incident. “A follow-up investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Gasataya wants the incident to be solved, adding that the police have already a lead. “It’s just a matter of time,” he added.
He appealed for public cooperation in helping law enforcement authorities resolve remaining cases.
“We encourage anyone who may have information regarding these incidents to coordinate with our police authorities,” the mayor said.