BACOLOD City – Around P4.5 million worth of jewelry was stolen after robbers stormed two jewelry stores inside a mall in Barangay Singcang-Airport.
Bacolod City Police Office director Colonel Henry Biñas said they are looking into the notorious “Martilyo Gang” of the Ozamiz group as behind the recent mall heist based on the manner by which the crime was committed.
Around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, nine men with long firearms and pistols, arrived at the mall and threatened the two security guards stationed at the mall’s entrance.
They used hammers and axes, which they bought in the department store, to destroy the glass shelves and steal the items of F and C Jewelry and Haoling Jewelry Store.
Biñas said investigators are determining the possible contacts of the robbers in the city as they are looking into reports that they are part of the Ozamiz group.
“Actually, what we have identified is they are from Ozamiz. We are also checking drug personalities in Negros Island and the neighboring region. We are analyzing that most probably there is a connection to illegal drugs,” Biñas said in a radio interview on Thursday.
He believed that the suspects have contacts in this city because they were able to find an opportunity on Wednesday.
“Hulat gid sila sang maayo nga opportunity and they know nga ang deployment naton gin-adjust tungod sa problema sa Ceres company. Gina-admit ko gin focus naton ang pwersa kag oras sa company bangud sa tension nga indi malikawan,” he said.
He added: “Ang grupo naga lapos-lapos lang ni sila, makadto sa Oriental or sa Occidental, wala ni sila naga-recognize sang jurisdiction.”
Biñas assured the public that they will adjust the police deployment as to ensure peace and order in the city. (With PNA/PN)
