BACOLOD CITY – The “local contacts” of the 12 robbers involved in the P3.6-million heist at the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) have already been identified by the police.

These people include a businessman and someone who used to be in the military.
Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, director of Bacolod City Police Office, said: “We have their names now and we continue to validate the information. Once it is confirmed, we can commence operations.”

De la Paz said that in recent days, authorities have not monitored the presence of the crime group in the city or in its neighboring areas, but they are not complacent.

“They are feeling the heat. Their photos have been distributed to the business community and we also arrested one of their possible members,” he said.

Joseph Basco Lontayao , 41, of Brgy. Fatima, in General Santos City was arrested for usurpation of authority in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, last week.
Investors found that he has similarity to “Joseph Calaramo,” one of the 12 suspects charged in the Ceneco robbery.

De la Paz said a source said that Lontayao, a bomb expert, was spotted at the safe house of the Dipolog-Ozamiz-Parohinog crime syndicate after the Ceneco robbery.

He added that once they are able to establish that Calaramo and Lontayao are one and the same, the police will amend the charges they filed in court.
The Police Station 3 also filed a case for usurpation of authority against Lontayao at the City Prosecutor's Office for posing as police inspector when he was arrested last Thursday. His identification card showed he is a Police Officer 2.*NLG