Bar passer tagged in pawnshop robbery freed

CEBU CITY — A Bar passer has just hurdled one major stumbling block in his journey to become a full-fledged lawyer.

Jigger Geverola, who was arrested after he was implicated in the robbery of a pawnshop, has been released from jail after the complaint filed against him was dismissed by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Geverola, and three other persons, Jerum Cambarijan Davin, Jordan Baquiano, and Dann Carlo Flores, and six “John Does,” were implicated in the robbery of Oro Sugbo Pawnshop and Jewelery Store on Colon St., Barangay Kalubihan, here on November 25.

A complaint for robbery in band was filed against Geverola and three other suspects.

Geverola, who passed the 2023 Bar examinations, was arrested on November 29 after Baquiano and Flores identified him as the one who allegedly masterminded the robbery.

Baquiano and Flores were arrested on board a car that was allegedly used by the robbers as getaway vehicle. Police intercepted the vehicle in a checkpoint in Sibonga town, southern Cebu.

In their affidavits of confessions, Baquiano and Flores narrated their dealings with Geverola prior to the robbery.

Baquiano said he was directed by Davin conduct surveillance on Colon and connecting streets on two occasions a day before the pawnshop was robbed.

He said part of Flores' instruction was to identify the areas where there are police checkpoints. Baquiano said that after the surveillance, he went home to Argao town, Cebu and met Davin and Geverola.

Baquiano said Geverola gave him ₱1,000 and was instructed to return to Cebu City to conduct another surveillance. He said that he was later informed by Geverola of their plans to rob a pawnshop.

He added that between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on November 25 or several hours after the robbery, he and Davin met in Barangay Gutlang, Argao.

Baquiano said Davin gave him a car key as Geverola was looking for someone to drive a car that had been used by robbers. The car was parked on a highway in Barangay Sabang, Sibonga town, Cebu.

Baquiano said he personally knew Geverola as both of them are natives of Argao. He said he didn’t know where the stolen jewelry was brought as his role was just a lookout.

He added that Davin is a trusted man of Geverola. Flores claimed that he was on his way home when he met Geverola who asked him if he and Baquiano already talked.

Flores said he told Geverola that he was willing to drive a vehicle as per instruction of Davin.

In her counter-affidavit, Geverola denied involvement in the robbery. Geverola countered that Flores and Baquiano’s extrajudicial confessions were not compliant with the rules.

He added that it was impossible that he met Baquiano on the day that he conducted a surveillance in downtown Cebu City as he was in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on that day processing some papers for the Bar examinations.

Geverola added that between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on November 25 he was at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City checking on his driver, who was admitted due to bullet wounds.

In her decision, Assistant City Misty Leah Escolar-hupp said that the evidence gathered and submitted by the police “are not sufficient to establish a reasonable certainty of conviction” against Geverola.

The prosecutor gave weight on Geverola’s contention that the two suspects’ extrajudicial confessions have no evidentiary value as they were not subscribed and sworn to before a prosecutor or government official authorized to administer an oath.

There was also no evidence to show that the lawyer who assisted the two confessants exercised vigilance in informing them of their fundamental rights, the prosecutor noted.

The prosecutor added that the conspiracy be first to be proved by evidence other than the admission itself; that the admission was made in furtherance of the conspiracy; and that it has been made while the declarant was engaged in carrying out the conspiracy or during the existence of the conspiracy.

“In this case, not all of the foregoing requisites are present. The existence of a conspiracy involving Jigger has not been sufficiently established,” Hupp said.

The prosecutor added another “compelling reason” that the declarations of Baquiano and Flores implicating Geverola were not made while they were engaged in carrying out the conspiracy.

The robbery was already consummated when the declarations were made, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor added that the “relentless efforts” exerted by the Cebu City Police Office in investigating the robbery “was commendable” but “there is not just not enough evidence” to prove Geverola’s involvement in the commission of the crime and “to establish a prima facie case against him.”