Lovers, accused of robbing by pretending to be PDEA agents, nabbed
This is a screen grab photo from the CCTV footage of the live-in couple, who would allegedly rob people by pretending to be anti-narcotics agents and were arrested on October 10. | Contributed photo via Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A live-in couple or lovers accused of robbing people by pretending to be anti-narcotics agents has been finally arrested.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) announced they already caught the robbers, who also turned out as fake agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7), last October 10.
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The suspects were identified as Jezer Setosta Banzon, alias Podoy, 42, of Barangay Quiot, Cebu City, and Erica Jane Pamonag Deluna, alias Erika, 21, and from Barangay Maribago in Lapu-Lapu City.
Authorities seized a homemade .38 caliber revolver from Banzon and a homemade black widow .22 caliber revolver from Deluna.
Banzon and Deluna were arrested in Carbon Public Market last October 10 following an armed person alarm that the Carbon Police Station received, said Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, information officer of CCPO.
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Modus operandi
Authorities first caught whiff of Banzon and Deluna’s activities since September.
According to Police Major Miles Damoslog, chief of Carbon Police Station, a concerned citizen reported to them about an armed man and a woman blocking individuals in Barangay Ermita to rob them.
Citing the complainant’s claims, the robbers will introduce as PDEA agents then will conduct a body search on the victims where they will steal some of their valuables.
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Later on, police would receive information that Banzon and Deluna apparently sold some of the items they stole in the Carbon Public Market, and that they also victimized other people in Barangays Labangon, Tisa and Punta Princesa.
In the meantime, Leia Alcantara, information officer of PDEA-7, lauded the police’s efforts in arresting the fake PDEA agents who used their agency’s names in committing the crimes.
On the other hand, the Cebu City police has urged Banzon and Deluna’s victims to go to the police so that cases will be lodged against the suspects.
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