MikeLigalig.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

The top security man of the Bank of Commerce commended yesterday guards who fought it out with members of the Meloy Garcia holdup gang in a robbery-shootout last week.

The bank's vice president for security, retired Gen. Prospero Noble Jr. flew in from Manila yesterday to personally give commendation to the security men and give financial aid to the wife of slain guard Remegio Cañizar.

Two other wounded guards, Tirso Fullido and Meliton Lamoste, were given financial assistance and commendation by Noble.

Noble took time to hear the account of the holdup from security guards Noel Cajes and Meliton Lamoste who survived the shootout with the robbers.

Bank teller Mabel Marie Real also recounted the incident.

ADMITS LAPSES

Noble admitted to lapses on the part of the bank and its guards.

In a talk with the media yesterday, Noble said, that there were shortcomings of its security men and on the part of the company.

However, Noble assured that the weaknesses will be immediately corrected.
          
Noble said the Bank of Commerce Tagbilaran Branch was supposed to get its own armored van which is already for delivery here from Manila.

It could have deterred Garcia's group from carrying out the robbery, he said.

The Bank of Commerce uses a Mitsubishi Adventure van in picking up deposits from business establishments here.

"We don't want to blame anybody, [but] definitely there were lapses," according to Noble.

"Hopefully we can correct it," he added.

Noble said, he sees no reason to blame the security men as they fought it out with the bandits.

Lamoste sustained a bullet wound in his right arm that went through to graze his chest. He is already out of the hospital.

Fullido is still recovering from a gunshot wound that went through his abdomen and cut an intestine.

During the shootout, the security guards hit the suspect Cresencio Reguya on his back. Doctors at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital earlier pronounced the suspect could be paralyzed for the rest of his life.

Head security guard Noel Cajes chased after the fleeing robbers along Soledad Street where he was able to hit another suspect, Gilven Nuez, in the arm.

COMMUNITY EFFORT

The retired general acknowledged that the community involvement that led to the arrest of all six suspects was exceptional.

"Through your civic-minded citizens the core of the robbery group were arrested," Noble said.

According to Noble, usually suspects can no longer be captured after 30 minutes from their commission of the crime if there is no participation from the public.

COMMENDATIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

Noble handed out cash assistance from the bank to the wife of Cañizar amounting to P50,000.

Meanwhile, the two wounded guards were also given P10,000 each.

Additional donations were also given by the Chiefs of Security Association of the Philippines, whom Noble is a member.

Noble informed the wounded guards that their hospital bills will be paid by the bank.

As a way of expressing its gratitude to the City PNP, Noble said the Bank of Commerce will donate some equipment to the police station.

ASSISTANCE FROM DYRD LISTENERS

A fund drive initiated over Station dyRD's top-rated Inyong Alagad netted a total of P43,080.

From this amount, P25,848 or 70% will be given to the family of Cañizar while Fullido and Lamoste will each get P6,462.

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