The Tagbilaran City police has alerted its forces against suspected robbers from various towns in Bohol amid a possible threat of a coordinated and “big-time” robbery by syndicates, said a city police official.

Superintendent Nicomedes Olaivar, Tagbilaran City police chief, pinpointed crime rings based in the second district as those likely to commit robberies in the city.

He said that these syndicates will be intending to cart away a large haul of cash and items.

According to Olaivar, the crackdown on illegal drugs has prompted criminals including drug syndicates particularly in the second district to shift from conducting narcotics trade to committing robberies.

The government’s war on drugs has reportedly driven some drug personalities to commit other crimes such as robbery to generate income and sustain drug habits of those who remain hooked on the illegal substance.

Reports reaching law enforcers also indicated that robbery groups which started drug operations during the heyday of narcotics trade in Bohol have shifted back to robbery due to diminishing drug supply.

Based on previous cases, the second district has become a known haven for big-time robbery groups which reportedly operated out of the towns of Inabanga, Getafe, Danao and Buenavista.

These towns have also been the base of operations of big-time drug personalities and members of gun-for-hire groups such as slain suspects David Anunciado of Inabanga and Rowen Secretaria of Getafe.

As part of its efforts against the perceived threat, the Tagbilaran City police called on the public to report suspicious individuals and activities through texting and calling authorities. (Allen Doydora) 

FOR MOBILE USERS: Scroll down for more of today’s latest news posted below the comment box.