Robbery, rape suspects arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Two men who were allegedly responsible for the robbery of a lodge in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City and an eatery in Barangay Pitogo, Consolacion, where they also raped two of its food attendants, were arrested yesterday morning.

Mark Rj Tampus, 25, is now detained while Rex Braga, 30, is confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital after he shot it out with Mandaue City Police Officers.

A 16-year-old girl, who is allegedly a cohort of the two in the robberies, was also arrested.

According to SPO4 Marcos Noval, investigator of the Mandaue Investigation Detection and Management Bureau (IDMB), the arrest of the three were made possible after a cellphone was left behind by one of the suspects inside the lodge.

Noval said they checked the messages of the phone and the police called one of the numbers. It was found out that Tampus only borrowed the cellular phone.

"Atong gitawagan, unya ang tag-iya diay sa cellphone maoy nakatubag. Misulti sa atoa nga tabangan ta niya sa pag-locate sa mga suspects hinungdan maoy nagtabang nato nga na-aresto nato sila," Noval said.

The police went to Consolacion resulting to the arrest of Tampus and the girl, while Braga, who was armed with a gun, was arrested in Tayud, Liloan. Braga fired at the police but missed and was instead shot on the chest.

"Atong gi-verify ug atong pangayoan og birth certificate ang babaye if tinuod ba gyud nga 16-year-old pa siya. Ang uban man gud moingon nga minor sila aron makalingkawas sa kaso," Noval said.

Tampus, Braga and the girl were positively identified by the lodge security guard, Jeffrey Geniza, and Ethel Baricuatro, who identified the girl as the one who took the P4,580 at the cashier's booth.

Tampus and the girl checked in the lodge while Braga disarmed the security guard. Braga was allegedly also the one who shot PO1 Erwin Pepito, who was about to check in at the lodge at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

After the arrest of the suspects, Noval said they coordinated with the Consolacion police to verify the involvement of the suspects in the recent robbery of an eatery. Two of its attendants were reportedly brought to a cemetery by the suspects where they were raped. The police invited one of the female victims and positively identified Tampus.  

Noval said they will also invite the other victim to identify Braga in the hospital.

Charges for robbery, rape and frustrated murder are now being prepared against the suspects. (FREEMAN)