Mall heist suspects nabbed

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental — Authorities here reported the arrest of five individuals allegedly involved in the P41.7-million mall robbery here on 1 January 2024 and as they are now conducting manhunt operations against a couple identified as the alleged masterminds of the robbery.

In a statement on Thursday, the suspects claimed they were only hired by the couple who reside in Barangay Baybay Triunfo here, adding that the couple — whose real identities remain unknown — staged the robbery "from planning to implementation" and are currently in possession of the bulk of cash and jewelry items that form part of the loot.

The Ozamiz City Police Station said three of the suspects
— Alfred Gomez Baterna, Francis Joe Sayson Baterna and Alberto Inlo Batulaso — are from the neighboring Tangub City while the two others — identified as Bryan Montealto and Ramel Apatan Villarumente — are both from Zamboanga del Norte province.

Police Maj. Dennis Tano, the OCPS officer-in-charge, said a tracker team is pursuing other robbery suspects.

"Barangay officials should always initiate profiling, especially on the renters of apartment and boarding houses," Tano said.

A police report said the suspects dug a tunnel from a nearby compound where a carnival was operating to enter the mall premises. One of the witnesses claimed that three of the suspects were also working in a local carnival.

Police records showed that the suspects were also previously involved in a series of robberies in their area.

Based on the affidavit inventory, one of the robbed jewelry stores said it had lost some P30 million worth of jewelry items and cash amounting to P722,000.