ICPO probes pharmacy robbery in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo City Police Office ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into an alleged robbery at a pharmacy in the La Paz district on Jan. 12.

Col. Roland Bulalacao, ICPO officer in charge and concurrent Police Regional Office-6 deputy regional director for operations, tasked Lt. Col. Lorenez Losaria to oversee and closely monitor the investigation.

Losaria, ICPO deputy city director for operations, was temporarily designated as commander of Iloilo City Police Station 2 following the relief of Capt. Jeffrey Delgado.

The Scene of the Crime Operations team was deployed to conduct crime scene processing, including an inventory of items believed to have been stolen.

In coordination with the Regional Anti-Crime Unit-6, investigators are retrieving and reviewing available closed-circuit television footage for digital forensic examination.

Police said alias Beth and alias Mark discovered the robbery at B-Shine Pharma along Magdalo Street, La Paz, at about 8 a.m. Monday.

Beth, 30, the pharmacy’s pharmacist, and Mark, 32, the driver, noticed signs of forcible entry when they opened the establishment.

They told investigators the air-conditioning unit at the rear of the building had been detached and receipts were found disarranged.

Further inspection showed the dangerous drugs cabinet had been destroyed and the CCTV wires had been deliberately cut.

Investigators found a pair of pliers inside the office, which they believe was used by the suspect or suspects.

Police said the suspect gained entry by destroying the air-conditioning grills at the back of the building and forcibly pushing the unit inward.

CCTV footage showed a man entering the pharmacy at about 2:43 a.m.

The footage showed the shirtless man scaling the main gate, detaching the air-conditioning grill, and entering the building.

Losaria said the man was not covering his face.

Initial reports said the suspect took a laptop and cash.

Bulalacao directed all concerned units to exhaust all investigative leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“We will not tolerate crimes that threaten public safety, especially incidents involving establishments handling regulated substances. All available resources are now focused on identifying the suspects and ensuring they are brought to justice swiftly,” Bulalacao said.

The ICPO assured the public of its continued commitment to protect life and property and urged anyone with information about the incident to immediately coordinate with the nearest police station.