Four men were taken into police custody after staging a robbery hold-up at a lending institution in Barangay Calaoan, Candon City, Ilocos Sur. They were apprehended in Sudipen, La Union, on June 12, 2025.
The suspects were identified as residents of La Union, though they do not share the same barangay. One of them was previously served two warrants of arrest for homicide and attempted robbery.
According to PLt. Jovelyn Antalan of the Public Information Office at Candon City Police Station, the suspects approached the lending institution while an employee was standing on the terrace. One suspect pointed a firearm at the employee and demanded the whereabouts of their colleagues, who were immediately located.
The suspects proceeded to the employees’ area, retrieved a black box containing cash, and took two mobile phones valued at P10,000 and P5,000.
Following the robbery, the suspects fled using a van heading south.
The incident was immediately reported to police authorities, prompting a response and an alert to neighboring towns in Ilocos Sur, as well as nearby provinces, for a dragnet operation leading to their arrest.
The lending institution reportedly serves employees who are also La Union residents.
Authorities are investigating the possibility of an inside job, given that both the employees and suspects come from La Union, as well as the suspicious disconnection of the CCTV system’s WIFI.
Police also noted that the suspects appeared to have detailed knowledge of employees’ work schedules, despite the robbery occurring on a holiday.
Despite the suspects’ capture, authorities continue their probe, suspecting additional accomplices based on various angles of investigation.
The suspects face robbery hold-up charges, along with possible violations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and illegal possession of a deadly weapon, after police recovered a knife during their arrest.