THE police finally identified the group behind the string of violent robberies last year after the arrest of one of the suspects in the holdup of JGC Financing Corp. Authorities are now in the lookout for a certain Carlito/Sherlito Torralba of Inopacan, Leyte who heads the Torralba robbery group.
The identification of the mastermind was made by Rodolfo Gonzaga Jr. whose participation in the robbery holdup of JGC last Mar. 2 led to his arrest two days later. His group took off with almost P100,000 and the security guard’s pistol that haven’t been recovered yet.
Gonzaga tagged his group as responsible for the robbery holdup of AGD Bakery in Doña Feliza Mejia Subdivision in Aug. 16 and Petron gas station in Cogon in Oct. 5, both last year in Ormoc. The robbers shot dead the lady vendor and cahier on both incidents.
But he denied he was part of those two robberies, saying he is a rookie who just heard his companions talk about it. He just joined the group recently and as a beginner, was paid only P5,000 for the JGC job. The bulk of the money will be used to purchase firearms and reserve to be used for bailing out members who get arrested.
While Torralba had connections with the underworld in other places like Manila and Cebu, Gonzaga said their group worked independently in the 4th and 6th Districts of Leyte. Gonzaga was submitted for inquest last Mar. 5 for robbery holdup with the use of firearm and intimidation, and violation of RA 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act Art. 2, sec. 2 for the shabu taken from his possession during his arrest.
Precinct 1 Station Commander CInsp. Shevert Alvin L. Machete confirmed that Torralba, who previously lived in the mountain barangay of Cabingtan, here in Ormoc, has a standing arrest warrant for attempted murder. His brother Lucio alias “Toto” is now in city jail for frustrated murder and has not paid for his bail for P520,000. by Elvie Roman-Roa
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Mar. 5-11, 2012)
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