By Jennifer P. Rendon
A robber was arrested after a policeman happened to pass by the scene where he and an accomplice were mugging an Indian national late in the morning of February 18 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Alias Jan, 24, of Barangay Bankal, Lemery, Iloilo, was arrested, while his companion, identified as Jerold, also a resident of Bankal, managed to escape and remains at large as of presstime.
According to reports, Senior Master Sergeant Rolando Lumawag, a member of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) assigned in Sta. Barbara town, was passing by Sitio Baclayan, Barangay San Juan, around 11:15 a.m. when he saw two men grappling with an Indian national over a bag.
Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, Barotac Viejo police chief, said Lumawag initially did not realize a robbery was taking place.
The officer intervened and arrested Jan, but Jerold fled on foot toward the mountainous area of Barangay San Juan.
There were reports that the suspect jumped into the water and swam to evade arrest.
“We couldn’t confirm that for now,” Esquilarga said.
Police are monitoring the coastline where the suspect may be hiding.
Meanwhile, the victim, 22-year-old Khushwant Singh from Villa Las Palmas Subdivision in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City, has provided little assistance in the investigation.
He claimed to have lost around PHP4,500 in cash during the robbery.
Esquilarga said Singh indicated he is not interested in filing criminal charges against the suspects.
Investigators found that the two robbers had been following Singh from Barangay Culasi, Ajuy, before the attack.
The victim has been engaged in a money-lending business in the area for some time.
