Police: Mall holdup case ‘closed’ with suspect’s arrest, case filing

ILOILO City – Authorities declared as “case closed” a recent holdup at a mall parking are after the suspect was arrested and formally charged with robbery before the prosecutor’s office.

The accused, identified only as alias “Fil-am,” 39, of Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district, was collared in a hot pursuit operation on September 4, a day after the incident at the parking area in Mandurriao district. He is now detained at Police Station 5.

On September 6, the Mandurriao police lodged the robbery complaint with the prosecutor’s office, with holdup victim Dr. Lulu Salinas and her husband, retired Police Colonel Cornelio Salinas, former Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, personally pursuing the case.

Investigators said Dr. Salinas had just boarded her vehicle when the suspect confronted her, threatened her with a gun, and hit her before fleeing with her wallet.

The wallet was later recovered by a tricycle driver along Solis Street, City Proper, and returned to the Salinas residence in La Paz district.

CCTV footage from the mall and nearby streets enabled authorities to trace the suspect’s movements and secure his arrest.

Ret. Col. Salinas issued a stern warning following the case resolution. “For the criminals, better watch out because we got a lot of forces against you. Justice will prevail. No one is above the law,” he stressed./PN