Reward offered in Iloilo pawnshop heist probe IPPO releases CCTV screenshot of one suspect

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office announced over the weekend that a PHP 50,000 reward will be given to anyone who can identify or provide information on at least one suspect involved in a pawnshop and jewelry store burglary at a mall in Pavia, Iloilo.

Col. Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, said the reward money has already been turned over to him, but he declined to identify the person who offered it.

“Kahit isang suspect lang ang ma-identify, we would give the reward,” he said.

Based on closed-circuit television footage, at least three people entered the establishment at about 3:10 a.m. on Dec. 17.

Only one suspect, however, was clearly captured on camera.

The man was wearing a bonnet, but his eyes and nose were clearly visible.

The CCTV footage also showed the silhouettes of two other men as they passed behind a glass wall.

Audio recorded by the system allegedly captured one suspect saying, “Dali lang anay, may gwardya.”

Razalan said the speaker appeared to be using Hiligaynon.

With the reward offer and the CCTV footage, Razalan said police are optimistic they can identify the suspects and file charges soon.

Police earlier estimated that about PHP 30 million worth of jewelry was taken from a pawnshop and jewelry store inside GT Town Center in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia.

Authorities said an additional PHP 280,000 in cash stored inside the vault with the jewelry was also stolen.

A nearby money changer shop likewise lost PHP 588,000 in cash and an undetermined amount of foreign currency, police said.

The cash was reportedly kept inside an unlocked vault.

Razalan said investigators are looking into the possible involvement of six to seven people in the coordinated heist of the two establishments.

He said only three suspects entered the buildings, while others may have served as lookouts or a getaway driver outside.

Police said the three men, one of whom was wearing a bonnet, gained entry by passing through a drainage system via an open culvert.

They emerged in an area within the Nuat Thai Foot and Body Massage Center, authorities said.

The suspects allegedly hammered through the floor until they created a hole large enough for a medium-built man.

Once inside the spa, they reportedly climbed and forced open the ceiling, crawled through it, and made another hole leading to the pawnshop and jewelry store.

Police said the suspects destroyed the vault containing the money and jewelry.

Investigators said the thieves left behind only watch straps after clearing out the store.