Cash, BBQ, fried chicken looted from resto

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two persons were arrested for allegedly robbing a food stall in Banate, Iloilo last July 29, 2023

Police nabbed Joel Belgira, 50, of Barangay Talokgangan, Banate; and Ron-Ele Dapulang, 36, of Barangay Namatay, Dingle at the former’s house at 7:30 am Friday.

They are accused of robbing an Andok’s branch (a chicken and pork restaurant) at Barangay Poblacion, Banate.

According to reports, service crew Jestoni Babaran, 34, of Barangay Santo Domingo, Banate, was cleaning the store when Belgira and Dapulang arrived on board a black Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle around 3:45 a.m.

The suspects, who were wearing an improvised face mask, parked in front of the stall.

One of them entered the stall, poked a knife at the service crew, and declared the robbery.

Lieutenant Dandy Ilalto, Banate police chief, said the suspects failed to take the food stall’s earnings placed inside the vault.

They only took Babaran’s personal money amounting to P950.

But before speeding off, the suspects also took with them three sticks of pork barbecue, fried chicken, and a big slab of liempo or roasted pork belly.

But it wasn’t long before they were arrested since Babaran recognized Belgira as the same person who robbed the store at around 11:45 p.m. on June 14, 2023.

At that time, Belgira allegedly carted away P3,000 cash and three pieces of roast chicken.

A case for robbery was filed against him more than a week ago.

“He might be unaware that he was already identified since the arrest warrant is yet to be issued against him,” Ilalto said.

The two suspects are now detained and will be charged with robbery.