Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña praised two of the police officers involved in a botched robbery incident in La Castellana last week, which ended with two robbers dead, while another was wounded and captured.

In an email sent by the mayor to various media outlets yesterday afternoon, he extended his congratulations to Police Officer 3 (PO3) Erwin Bello and PO1 Rejan Rondubio, both members of the Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOPMFC).

Peña said, as a sign of appreciation, especially for Bello, who was formerly assigned to the Moises Padilla Police Station, he offered a cash reward.

Although the mayor did not specify the amount, the reward would be provided in addition to awards they will receive from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO).

Last week, three armed robbers, identified as 26-year-old Garnel Solebaga, 27-year-old Edgar Recaña, and 30-year-old Je-Ar Santa Ana, robbed P190,000 in cash from an individual delivering goods to a local feeds store in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana.

The robbers were then chased down by patrolling La Castellana police and a shootout occurred, killing Recaña and Santa Ana, and wounding Solebaga.

The wounded suspect is under the custody of La Castellana police and faces robbery/hold-up charges./DGB, WDJ