BALAGTAS, BULACAN – Investigators are considering the possibility of an inside job in a recent robbery involving seven police officers at the residence of a businessman in Bulacan province.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, the suspects include three police officers: Maj. Armando Reyes, 55, of the Hagonoy Municipal Police Station; S/Sgt. Anthony Ancheta, 48, of the Malolos City Police Station; and Senior M/Sgt. Ronnie Galion, 43, of the Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station. These officers are now in restrictive custody at the Bulacan Police Provincial Office and have been formally charged with robbery. “We are investigating if one of these officers, who is acquainted with the victims, might have orchestrated the robbery using privileged information,” said Fajardo.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Wednesday when the seven suspects reportedly entered the compound of Esmeraldo Magbitang Jr., a 40-year-old businessman and pharmaceutical supplier, in Barangay Borol 2nd, Balagtas town. They initially posed as individuals seeking financial assistance but then revealed firearms and executed a holdup, taking mobile phones, bags, gadgets, and an undisclosed sum of money.
The three identified suspects were apprehended during a follow-up operation on Thursday, while a manhunt for the remaining four unidentified suspects is ongoing. Meanwhile, the PNP Internal Affairs Service is investigating the implicated officers for potential administrative charges.