ILOILO – A suspect in the robbery-holdup of an Indian national in Barangay San Juan, Barotac Viejo town in this province was arrested on Tuesday, February 18.
Police Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, officer-in-charge of the Barotac Viejo Municipal Police Station (MPS), told Panay News that the suspect, Jan Pril Sinoy of Barangay Bankal, Lemery town, was caught in possession of the P4,500 stolen money, caliber .45 pistol, two magazines for the said gun with six bullets each, and a sachet of suspected shabu.
However, Sinoy’s accomplice, who is yet to be identified, remained at large.
Esquilarga said that based on their investigation, the motorcycle-riding suspects tailed the victim identified as 22-year-old Khushwhant Singh from Barangay Culasi, Ajuy.
Singh, who temporarily resides in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City, was riding a motorcycle, too. when the suspects intercepted and threatened him using a caliber .45 pistol, and forcibly took his collection.
Fortunately, an intelligence operative from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit happened to pass by and noticed the commotion. The police officer immediately called for backup.
Esquilarga said the suspects attempted to flee, but Sinoy’s jacket got caught in their motorcycle chain, causing him to fall, while his accomplice managed to escape.
Sinoy admitted to the police that his accomplice was also armed, but he refused to disclose his identity.
As of this writing, Sinoy was detained at the Barotac Viejo MPS while manhunt operation was ongoing against his accomplice.
Police were also investigating whether the suspects had previous criminal records.
Meanwhile, Singh told the police he lost a total of P11,000 in cash to robbers, but only P4,500 was recovered from Sinoy.
Esquilarga said the remaining cash found in the suspect’s possession was allegedly his own./PN