The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is investigating the possibility that an organized criminal group was behind the April 11, 2026 armed robbery of a jewelry store inside a mall in Buhangin, Davao City.
According to DCPO spokesperson Capt. Hazel Tuazon, police have identified seven suspects through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage taken inside and outside the mall, as well as along their escape routes.
“Na identify tung pito ka suspects sa mall robbery kay nakita ang mga nawong sa CCTV footage sa mall ug sa gawas sa mall ug sa ilang giagian after sa incident, naa pud coordination ang DCPO sa other police regional offices sa ilang identification,” she said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing.
DCPO reported that the suspects, believed to be non-residents of the city, took assorted jewelry items before fleeing on motorcycles.
A manhunt is ongoing, with charges now being readied against those involved.
Tuazon said investigators are pursuing leads indicating the group may be part of a larger, organized network with possible financial backing.
“Wala nato giwala ang possibility na grupo ni sila. Sa among gihatag na statement sa ilahang pag holdup sa jewelry shop sa mall naay possibility na kini sila apil sa usa ka organized na grupo and possible naay nagfinance kay they’re from outside Davao City,” she said.
Tuazon also said that despite initial findings that the suspects are from outside Davao, authorities are not discounting the involvement of local accomplices.
“But ongoing ang investigation kay naay possibility nga naay taga Davao City involved sa krimen,” she said.
She added that investigators are also examining how the suspects were able to bypass mall security and bring firearms inside the premises.
“Part sa investigation kung giunsa pagsulod sa mga suspects kay diha pa lang sa pag inspect gina remove na ang cap kasagaran but then pag naa na sa sulod kasagaran ibalik na pud pagsuot. Part pud sa investigation kung nganong nakasulod ang firearms sa sulod sa mall,” Tuazon said.
Tuazon also said that the DCPO said coordination with other police regional offices continues as efforts intensify to locate the suspects and determine the full extent of the operation behind the robbery.
