THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) is set to file robbery charges this week against seven suspects tagged in the brazen jewelry store heist at a mall in Buhangin last April 11.
In an interview on Monday afternoon, DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Caballero confirmed that investigators are finalizing the case against the seven individuals.
While the group’s name has not yet been established, Caballero revealed that the suspects are not residents of the city.
“They are from outside Davao,” Caballero said. “We are currently coordinating with other Police Regional Offices to determine if they are part of a known criminal syndicate.”
Although the suspects have reportedly fled the city, Caballero assured the public that a manhunt is ongoing and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions is intensified.
The robbery occurred at a jewelry store inside CityMall North Mindanao (Buhangin) on April 11. The suspects reportedly declared a hold-up, emptied display cases of assorted jewelry, and fled on scooter-type motorcycles.
Responding units later recovered the getaway vehicles, which have since undergone forensic processing.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) also lifted multiple fingerprints from the scene to aid in the identification process.
DCPO chief Col Peter Madria said they are utilizing “intelligence-driven tracking” and dragnet operations to corner the perpetrators.
“We will exhaust all efforts and resources to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Criminal elements have no place in our city,” Madria said.
