Police: Mastermind wants to surrender

The suspected mastermind of the robbery and death of a 25-year-old accountant in the South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City is sending surrender feelers to authorities.

The feelers came from Ariel Ando, brother of arrested security Archie Ando, said Investigative and Detective Management Branch head Supt. Ryan Devaras.

“We are hunting them down and monitoring their presence and their whereabouts, particularly in piers, in case they try to escape to other places,” the police officer said.

The two security guards that police earlier held for questioning were released.

“We have not yet established their participation in the crime but we are also monitoring them,” Devaras said.

Police learned that Ariel is also facing a case for violating Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.

Aside from Ariel, Archie released the names “Tommy” and “Elmer” as those of his cohorts.

Archie earlier admitted to the police that he was the one who drove the motorcycle that was used as a getaway vehicle after Jennelyn Aquino was robbed and killed. Aquino was the accountant of Viscon Construction.

Archie was arrested in his workplace in LapuLapu City after police received information from a witness about the plate number of the getaway motorcycle. Archie owned the vehicle.

Illegal firearms like a KG9 submachine gun and a caliber .45 pistol, live bullets, jackets and helmets were seized from Archie’s house.

Following the death of Aquino, Cebu City Police Office Director Joel Doria said that companies should provide automated teller machine cards (ATM) to their employees to prevent the withdrawal of huge amounts of cash that may attract robbers. /