By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police arrested four people after they allegedly robbed a commercial establishment located at Barangay Oringao in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental recently.

The four suspects were identified as 20-year-old Juniel Batomalaki, 50-year-old Tony Batomalaki, 19-year-old Jonel Batumalaki, and 50-year-old Lade Balbon, all residents of the said city.

The fifth suspect identified as Juny Romano managed to evade arrest.

Police Lt. Colonel Reymond Cruz, Kabankalan City police chief, said the suspects broke into the El Familia Cafe at around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 18.

The suspects were targeting the cafe’s sales for the day, however, they failed to get the money as it was already remitted to the cafe owner by the establishment’s staff.

Instead, the suspects carted away a box full of coffee products and a mobile phone owned by one of the employees.

On Friday morning, authorities conducted a manhunt operation against the suspects after they were positively identified by a concerned citizen.

Ultimately one of the suspects later admitted to the crime as well as the other robbery incidents in the city last month when he was questioned by police.

All four are facing robbery charges and are presently detained at the Kabankalan City Police Station./DGB, WDJ