By Jennifer P. Rendon and Felipe V. Celino
A dismissed police officer is among seven suspects in the PHP 3.1-million highway robbery that occurred in Barangay Sta. Fe, Pilar, Capiz, on January 5.
Colonel Albert Tapulao, Capiz police chief, identified ex-policeman Lyman John Ochenta as one of three men dressed in police athletic uniforms who flagged down the victims’ vehicle.
Another suspect, Marnie John Asajar, was also identified as wearing a similar disguise.
Both suspects remain at large as of press time.
Arrests and Vehicle Recovery
Police arrested two suspects, John Francis Daquilaña and his aunt, Jemmarie Daquilaña, on January 6 in Barangay Gibato, Dumarao, Capiz.
The two were positively identified by witnesses and victims as passengers in the silver Mitsubishi Mirage used in the crime.
The getaway vehicle, bearing plate number FAR 8971, was recovered earlier that day in Barangay Moroboro, Dingle, Iloilo.
According to investigators, the victims, Jorge Valsote, 48, Daniel Acervo, 35, and Jose Billones, 57, were employees of a distributor of Coca Cola Bottling Philippines (not of Coca-Cola itself).
They were transporting three days’ worth of sales collections from Balasan, Iloilo, to Panay town when the suspects stopped them at around 9:55 a.m.
The assailants, claiming to be conducting a criminal operation, pointed a .45-caliber pistol at the victims, tied them up inside their gray Toyota Innova, and took cash, checks, cellphones, keys, and other valuables.
Initially, the victims estimated the stolen amount at PHP 1 million, but their manager later confirmed that PHP 3.14 million was taken.
Notorious Suspects
Ochenta, a former police officer dismissed in 2017 for grave misconduct, has a criminal history that includes a PHP 1-million robbery in Sara, Iloilo, and another incident involving robbery and homicide in Sicogon Island in September 2022.
Asajar, another suspect, has five outstanding arrest warrants for charges including murder, frustrated murder, and robbery.
Authorities are also investigating if John Francis Daquilaña has pending cases in Capiz.
Pursuit and Legal Action
Tapulao confirmed that while active pursuit operations have concluded, efforts to apprehend Ochenta and Asajar will continue due to their pending warrants.
Meanwhile, police are preparing robbery charges against the arrested suspects.
