Bar passer in Cebu City pawnshop heist not yet off the hook

CEBU CITY – The complaint filed against the Bar passer who was accused of masterminding the robbery of a pawnshop here may have been dismissed but the police are not giving up on the case yet.

The Police Regional Office-central Visayas (PRO-7) said they will dig deeper in their investigation to find enough evidence that would pin down Jigger Geverola.

Geverola has been released from jail after the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the robbery in band complaint filed against him for lack of evidence.

Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7 chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said they abide by the decision dismissing the complaint against Geverola, but insisted the case is not over yet.

“The findings of the Honorable Prosecutor’s Office is that based on the complaint forwarded by CCPO, the evidence is insufficient to file the case in Court. There was evidence but not sufficient, as of the moment. This is the reason why the dismissal is without prejudice. Meaning, it can be refiled,” said Pelare, also a lawyer.

Pelare said the dismissal did not clear Geverola outright. “It didn’t rule out the involvement of Mr. Jigger Geverola in the crime. We have evidence pertaining to that. But we actually understand the position of the Department of Justice (DOJ) because the new standard now in filing the case is ‘reasonable certainty of conviction’ which is akin to prima facie evidence,” Pelare said.

“On the other hand, the police use a lower standard which is ‘probable cause based on personal knowledge of facts and circumstances.’ This is the basis why the police pushed through with the case. We have probable cause and we stand by that, respectfully,” Pelare added.

Police arrested Geverola after one of two arrested suspects identified him as the one who ordered them to drive the car used by the robbers as getaway vehicle.

The suspect also identified Geverola as the one who paid him to conduct a surveillance on the area where Oro Sugbo Pawnshop and Jewelry Store is located. The pawnshop was robbed on November 25.

Pelare said the police will continue to investigate the case even after the dismissal of the complaint. “With this development, we shall dig deeper in our investigation, gather more evidence, and refile it once we can establish the proof as required by the DOJ. It’s a long battle ahead,” said Pelare.