Firearms, wigs and other items were seized from Jelson Enriquez who was tagged by his brother as the one who masterminded the robbery of four Chinese tourists in Medellin town, Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
TWO brothers were arrested for robbing four Chinese tourists in Medellin town, northern Cebu.
Police arrested Jelson and Jerome Enriquez after one of them admitted involvement in the robbery last Saturday.
Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said the case is considered solved with the arrest of the Enriquez brothers.
Jerome was hired to pick up the four tourists at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. He and a certain Glenn were supposed to bring the four tourists to Daanbantayan town.
When the van driven by Jerome reached barangay Curva in Medellin, two men on a motorcycle blocked them. The backrider boarded the van and robbed the tourists at gunpoint as the van continued on its way.
Taken were gadgets and cash amounting to P150,000.
Jelson Enriquez was tagged by his brother as the one who masterminded the robbery (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Albotra said they invited Jerome for questioning after noticing some inconsistencies in his statements.
“Ikaw, kung alihan ka og nagmotor, mohunong diay dayon ka? Una nimong buhaton imong ligsan (If a motorcycle blocks your path, will you stop right away? First thing you do is to run over the motorcycle),” Albotra said.
Albotra said a background check on Jelson showed that he was involved in robbery incidents in the past and was charged with possession of unlicensed firearms two years ago.
Police conducted further interrogation on Jerome until he finally admitted that he was involved in the crime and tagged Jelson as the mastermind.
Police arrested Jelson in his house in barangay Poblacion, Carmen town.
Jelson denied involvement in the robbery. He said he didn’t know why his brother pointed him as the mastermind.
“Ambot lang, wa jud ko kahibaw (I don’t know. I really don’t know),” Jelson said.
Police said they confiscated a 9mm and .45 caliber pistol from Jelson. Two wigs and two motorcycles were also seized.
Jelson admitted to the media that he owns guns, but said these were for self-defense.
He said he owned wigs as a member of a dance crew. The wigs are used as props in the group’s performances.
To explain the motorbikes, Jelson said he is a member of an organization of motorcycle riders.