One of the twelve suspects in the P3.6 million heist at the Central Negros Electric Cooperative on March 31 was arrested in Cagayan De Oro City, this week, Bacolod City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo De la Paz, said yesterday.

However, de la Paz said, Gerardo Saniel, “alias Gagang” of Molave town, Zamboanga del Sur is now confined at the Puerto Community Hospital in Cagayan De Oro City for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds he sustained when he and his companions shot back at the policemen when they robbed a pawnshop in Butuan City Saturday.

Four armed men held up the Lucibenino Jewelry and Pawnshop in Butuan City at about 10 a.m. Saturday and took P1.5 million in cash.

Saniel’s companion, identified as Felix Garcia, was killed in the shootout, but De la Paz said, Garcia had nothing to do with the robbery at CENECO.

Cagayan De Oro City Police Director Senior Supt. Gerardo Rosales told the DAILY STAR that they have already served the arrest warrant for robbery-in-band against Saniel issued by Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Judge Eliseo Geolingo, who set his bail at P180,000.

Rosales said they also issued three more arrest warrants against Saniel for his involvement in the robbery of a bank and a business establishment in Cagayan De Oro City, and another firm in Dipolog.

He said Saniel used to be a member of the Alferez-Ozamis-Dipolog Group and is now affiliated with the Monopolio Group.

Aside from Saniel, his companions Reynaldo Bacolod, “alias Toto and Jay Mira”, Roel Remedios, “alyas Yoyong” and Joseph Calaramo also have arrest warrants for their involvements in the CENECO robbery.

De la Paz said Saniel is now undergoing tactical interrogation so he could reveal who his other companions are.*APN

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