Victims file raps vs ‘robber on wig’

CEBU, Philippines - The man who allegedly robbed passengers of public utility jeepneys while donning a wig is facing two counts of robbery before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor.

Yoland Antone, alias "Yong-yong," 35, of Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero, was sued yesterday by two of his alleged victims, Wilcris Quimbo, 27, and Jenny Mae Fernandez, 22.

Personnel from the Waterfront Police Station assisted Quimbo and Fernandez in theifling of criminal complaints.

Senior Police Officer 2 Reynold Malazarte, the arresting officer, said Antone opted not to invoke his right to undergo preliminary investigation during the inquest proceeding before Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Alex Gabud.

Instead, he manifested to face the criminal charges before the court. Antone is still detained at the Waterfront station while waiting for his commitment order.

Antone was apprehended in a hot pursuit operation inside his house in Sitio Villagonzalo II in Barangay Tejero Sunday morning.

Identified as a notorious robber in the city, he returned to Cebu last month after months of hiding in Camotes Island, police said.

He was positively identified by six people, including Quimbo and Fernandez, who he allegedly held at gunpoint inside public utility jeepneys.

Quimbo reported to the police that Antone and his cohort, a certain Nelson Celerio, robbed him and four other passengers onboard a jeepney bound for Barangay Mabolo last Saturday evening. 

The five of them reportedly lost their items to Antone who was armed with a .38 cal. revolver.

Quimbo said Antone had long hair and was wearing a ball cap when he robbed them.

Fernandez also went to the station and identified Antone as the one who robbed his bag that contained a laptop worth P15,000 while onboard a jeepney on Benedicto Street, Barangay Tejero last Friday.

Quimbo and Fernandez said they can clearly remember Antone's face who victimized them.

During arrest, the police seized from Antone a .38 caliber revolver and the wig placed inside pocket.

Meanwhile, the police said they are still searching for Celerio and the three minors who are allegedly Antone's cohorts.

Malazarte said they went to Barangay Lorega where Celerio reportedly lives but were informed that the suspect had not gone home since the robbery incidents last week. (FREEMAN)