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Lack of eyewitnesses hampering RCBC probe, cops admit


MANILA, Philippines - The lack of eyewitnesses is hampering the investigation into last Friday's bloody robbery of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in Cabuyao in Laguna, police admitted Tuesday. In an interview on dzBB radio, Laguna police director Sr. Supt. Felipe Roxas Jr said they are having a hard time determining the motive behind the robbery and killing, adding the case is "complicated." "Hinahanap natin ang suspects pero medyo complicated ang kaso na ito. Wala tayong eyewitness (We are looking for the suspects but it's complicated because there are no eyewitnesses)," Roxas said. Roxas said the closest that witnesses police have so far secured could get was to identify "two to three" suspected robbers through a "rogue's gallery." With the witnesses' help, Roxas said a task force looking into the RCBC robbery-massacre will come out with artist's sketches of the suspects. "May nakuha tayong witnesses, mga two to three bank robbers na-identify nila (The witnesses we have had identified two to three of the suspects)," he said. Meanwhile, Roxas said the lone suspect in the predawn massacre of eight persons in Calamba City Monday is still likely within the area. He said the suspect, identified as Bernabe Fiesta, 38, is from Kidapawan City and is not familiar with anyone in the city. Fiesta was a caretaker at the vegetable farm of retired policeman SPO4 Florencio Peria in the area. Police said he used the M-16 of the former policeman in shooting 14 people, killing eight of them. "From North Cotabato siya, walang kakilala. We presume sa area pa siya paikot-ikot (He is from North Cotabato and is not likely to know anyone here. We presume he is still in the area)," Roxas said. Roxas also said Peria would "most probably" be charged as an accessory to the crime because the firearm used in the crime belonged to him. He added the M-16 firearm is now being tested to see if it is a "loose" firearm. "Ang isang witness dapat papatayin niya, nakiusap siya at pinagbigyan (One of the witnesses was supposed to have been shot dead too, but was spared after pleading with Fiesta)," Roxas said. - GMANews.TV
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