DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 02 March) – Four days after a pawnshop here was robbed of millions of pesos worth of jewelry, Mayor Sebastian Duterte alleged that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whom he described as “very lenient on criminals,” and Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil, whom he called “ugok talaga” (really stupid), “encourages criminals to do these kinds of criminalities.” In his Sunday podcast, Duterte stated, “There’s a big possibility dahil ugok talaga ‘tong PNP chief natin, and the president is very lenient on criminals right now, it encourages criminals to do these kinds of criminalities.” On February 26, 2025, at 9:51 a.m., armed men robbed Hannah’s Pawnshop along Ilustre Street, seizing jewelry valued between ₱40 million and ₱100 million. One suspect, Jonny Dejito Bulawan from Albuera, Leyte, was apprehended in the market area, and authorities recovered an M-16 rifle, a 9 mm pistol, and a bag of stolen jewelry. Five other suspects remain at large. Duterte criticized Marbil’s November statement in a Bilyonaryo News Channel interview, where Marbil claimed that those apprehended for illegal drug use are not necessarily addicts but use prohibited substances to stay awake during long work hours. Duterte suggested the suspects might have been paid to rob the pawnshop, citing hunger and poverty as driving factors. DCPO spokesperson Hazel Caballero Tuazon confirmed the arrested suspect will face charges of robbery and violating the election gun ban. DCPO Director Colonel Hansel Marantan denied social media allegations that the robbery was “staged.” A ₱500,000 reward—₱100,000 per suspect—has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the remaining suspects. The DCPO urged the public to provide leads via hotline numbers 0998 598 7054, 0916 659 2576, and 082-227-5777. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
