Ex-employees probed on gas station robbery

CEBU, Philippines — The authorities have questioned the former employees of the gasoline station where a robbery took place that resulted in the death of a security guard yesterday, said Police Colonel Roderick Mariano, Cebu Police Provincial Offcie (CPPO) director.

This, after the investigation revealed that the combination of the vault where the proceeds were placed was only known by the present and former employees. The steel vault was found to have only been opened through the combination.

“Meron tayong mga persons of interest dahil according doon sa cashier noong umaga, may mga former employees na nakakaalam din noon mga combination noon, kaya lahat pinapa-check natin pati na yong mga CCTV,” said Mariano.

It was reported that the security guard was found dead inside the restroom with a gunshot wound to his head, while over half a million cash was gone from the vault of the gasoline station in Barangay Tuyan, Naga City at around 6 a.m. last Sunday.

The incident was reported at around 6 a.m. but initial investigation revealed that the robbery and shooting incident could have happened at around 1 a.m. The security guard, Rogelio Librando Patatag, 55, was first discovered by the gas station’s cashier, Christian Jake Lara, when he arrived for his shift.

Yesterday, Mariano said they have already started the questioning of the former employees while the CCTV cameras around the area were also being checked.

Mariano added he has directed the Naga City Police Station chief to conduct further investigation and enhance the CCTV footage that was retrieved in the gasoline station.

“Pinapa-enhance natin yung CCTV footage na nakuha kasi medyo blurred, kaya pinapaayos natin yun baka sakaling mapaliwangan. So, continuous yung conduct ng investigation natin at tinitingnan natin kung may participation ba yung mga persons of interest natin,” said Mariano.

He added they are still not certain yet as to the number and identity of the perpetrators behind the crime.  GAN (FREEMAN)