IPPO on alert as another robbery group spotted
The Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) has alerted banks, lending institutions and pawnshops in the province to be more cautious following reports of the presence of "professional robbers" here.
Chief Insp. Rubenie Grandeza of the Barotac Nuevo police, in a radio interview, disclosed that the IPPO has called on banks, lending institutions, and pawnshops in the province to be vigilant in the wake of reports that a group out to stage robbery hold-ups was spotted in the province.
Grandeza refused to identify the said group.
Grandeza added that there is also a standing order from IPPO chief Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz for all municipal police stations to be vigilant at all times.
Municipal police chiefs were ordered to design their respective security plans, she said.
The reports on the presence of a new robbery group came out even after the recent arrest of Roger Palma, alleged leader of a robbery-hold up group believed to be operating in Iloilo province.
Palmas was arrested by members of the 6th Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Brgy. Zone 1, Bo. Obrero in Lapuz, La Paz, Iloilo City last week.
Palma, 25, of Barangay Dalid, Calinog is facing charges of robbery, and attempted highway robbery with physical injuries. With his arrest, police believed robbery and hold-up cases in the province will be minimized.
Grandeza said establishment owners were already briefed on what to do and whom to call in case of emergency.
All owners should be security conscious. This to thwart any untoward incident such as robbery and hold-ups in their establishments, Grandeza said.
The police will do what is expected of them while the owners have also to take part, she added.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 under Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. is also laying out preparations for the series of celebrations in the region this month of January.
Kalibo, Aklan will be celebrating its Ati-atihan Festival on January 19-20 while Iloilo City will hold its Dinagyang Festival January 26-27.
PRO 6 personnel normally augment to the police forces of Kalibo and Iloilo City to ensure the safety of tourists and visitors attending the two widely popular festivals.