- DCPO: Tolentino criminal gang behind pawnshop robbery
THE TOLENTINO criminal group, a faction of the notorious Ozamiz robbery hold-up group, was responsible for the heist of the Hanna’s Pawnshop along Ilustre Street on Feb. 26, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, Colonel Hansel Marantan, announced.
“We have been conducting follow-up operations since the robbery on Feb. 26, which is now one week and one day ago. We are presenting our findings today,’ Marantan stated on Thursday, March 6.
During a presentation at DCPO headquarters in San Pedro Street, Marantan detailed the robbery, which occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. At least eight armed individuals, carrying assault rifles and other firearms, stole jewelry estimated to be worth between P40 million and P100 million.
‘We have photographs of the perpetrators armed with assault rifles, M16 rifles, and images of recovered items,’ he said.
Marantan said the Tolentino group was “responsible for a series of LBC robberies in Metro Manila, the Calabarzon region, and Cebu.” he said.
“They have robbed nearly 15 LBC outlets, demonstrating their experience in conducting swift robberies,” he said.
Marantan identified Marvin Beronguis, alias Tata, as the leader of the Tolentino criminal gang, with Ramil and Takyo as alleged financiers. Although the police already know the identities of their Davao contacts, the DCPO chief declined to give their names to avoid compromising the ongoing manhunt.
Other identified members include Johnny Dehito, who is in custody; Jimmy “Jerome” Calo, the driver of the getaway Innova, who has an outstanding warrant of arrest for robbery with homicide; Jade Lasula Dadang; Rodolfo; Jack; an unidentified female; and an unidentified male, the driver of a Mio motorcycle.
Marantan said that Rodolfo was armed with an assault rifle and all suspects were equipped with pistols. One assault rifle and a 9mm pistol were recovered during the chase immediately following the robbery.
According to previous reports, several members of the group were arrested in 2015 for LBC robberies in Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Cavite.
On May 27, 2015, the group robbed LBC branches in Dasmariñas, GMA, and Bacoor, Cavite. Johnny Bulawan, Marvin Beronguis, and Jerome Calo were among those arrested in 2015 for these LBC robberies.
“They were imprisoned at Parañaque City Jail for illegal drug offenses and other crimes,” Marantan said.
The heist
Marantan described the group’s planning and execution of the Hanna’s pawnshop robbery. “Johnny traveled to Argao, Cebu, to meet alias Tata, and then to Gahub, Gingoog, to meet Jerome. This indicates that these three are the hardcore members of the Tolentino group.
They arrived in Davao in mid-January 2025 and conducted surveillance of the target pawnshop.
On Feb. 24, at 10 p.m., Jerome and Johnny left Gingoog and arrived in Davao City at 5 a.m. Jade left Tangub City and also proceeded to Davao City. The group met near SM Ecoland and stayed at two locations in Matina Aplaya before they robbed the pawnshop.
“When I asked Johnny why they chose Hanna’s, he said the security was lax and they believed they could obtain a large haul. They assessed that Hanna’s would be a lucrative target,’ Marantan explained.
CCTV footage showed two men passing by the pawnshop then returning, drawing firearms, and subduing the security guard. One suspect carried a sledgehammer, while another brandished a pistol.
The footage also showed the suspects assaulting two guards, forcing them to lie down, and breaking into the pawnshop. Three suspects entered and stole displayed jewelry, placing it in bags.
One suspect acted as a lookout. Cellphone video captured three suspects attempting to flee on a motorcycle, which malfunctioned, forcing them to abandon it.
Marantan presented images of the getaway vehicles: Mio motorcycles carrying Tata, Jade, and an unidentified driver; a Honda TMX carrying Johnny, Rodolfo, and Jack; and a Toyota Innova carrying Jerome and an unidentified female.
He also showed video footage of the Innova passing through San Pedro Extension, Rodolfo changing pants and riding a tricycle towards Pag-Asa via Madapo Hills, an unidentified woman carrying a bag walking towards McDonald’s Bankerohan, Johnny being apprehended at Bankerohan Public Market, and Innova heading south towards Martina.
Suspects’ profiles
Marantan provided background information on the suspects, based on Johnny’s statements.
Marvin Beronguis, 39, from Ozamis Occidental, was arrested with Johnny Bulawan in Parañaque in 2015 for robbery and served nine years in prison.
He is allegedly armed with a .45 caliber pistol and is the team leader, responsible for looting the jewelry with Jade Lasula Dadang. Johnny Dehito, 39, from Albuera, Leyte, admitted to using illegal drugs and provided information on his cohorts.
Jerome Calo, 47, from Gingoog, Misamis Occidental, was imprisoned in 2015 for drug offenses and has a warrant of arrest for robbery with homicide.
Jade Lasula Dadang, 27, from Tangub, Ozamis Occidental, is armed with a .45 caliber pistol and has a pending frustrated murder case. Rodolfo, 47, from Surigao City, provided the motorcycles and acted as security. Jack, from Butuan City, is believed to be Rodolfo’s companion and drove the TMX motorcycle.
An unidentified man drove a Rusi motorcycle.
An unidentified female suspect allegedly received a bag of stolen jewelry at a gas station. Ramil/Takyo, 27, from Tangub, Misamis Occidental, allegedly provided firearms and financing.
Marantan stated that a P100,000 reward had been offered for each suspect. ‘Just because they are at large does not mean we are not searching for them. We are actively pursuing them with the combined efforts of the PNP and AFP intelligence community,’ he said.
He described the hot-pursuit operation, which resulted in Johnny’s apprehension. “Johnny was apprehended based on community reports. I spoke with him,” Marantan said.
A video was played showing Johnny stating, “I am Johnny Bulawan, from Albuera, Leyte, 39 years old, with two children. I can only provide information on where my companions live.’
Suspect’s interview
A well-known family in Ozamiz City is being pointed to as the one who allegedly ordered the disruption of Davao City.
This is the revelation of Johnny Bulawan, the arrested suspect in the February 26 pawnshop robbery on Ilustre St., Davao City.
In an interview with Bulawan this Thursday afternoon, March 6, he revealed that he planned to back out because he was thinking of ‘Tatay Digong” (an affectionate term for former President Rodrigo Duterte). However, because he had no fare to return to Ozamiz, he had no choice and joined the pawnshop robbery.
Bulawan was the one tasked with smashing the pawnshop. He was also the one in the middle of the motorcycle carrying the sledgehammer.
“They were monsters”
“During the robbery, they were not normal people; they were monsters. We secured Johnny’s family in Bacoor to prevent the organized crime group from silencing him. Johnny has been cooperative and has been provided with his rights. He has identified his accomplices and safe houses,” Marantan said.
Marantan confirmed that the vehicles and firearms used in the robbery have been verified. Charges of robbery in a band, violation of the Omnibus Election Code, and illegal possession of firearms have been filed.
Marantan also identified Marlon Credo, located in Bukidnon, who provided information on Jerome Calo’s address in Gingoog City. “We have pursued them to Bacoor, Cavite, and Gingoog. We impounded the Innova used in the robbery, but it was empty. Jerome’s live-in partner and brother, Jinggoy, have also been identified.”
“The Hanna’s robbery is the work of the Ozamis group, a dangerous organized crime group. They use drugs and commit crimes.
Fortunately, no one was killed in this robbery, unlike the 2008 RCBC robbery
“Also, they did not engage us in a firefight. One assault rifle with 47 rounds can delay a company. We were fortunate that the suspect with the assault rifle was apprehended quickly. While they stole millions in jewelry, no lives were lost.”
“We have filed charges and intend to place Johnny Bulawan in the Witness Protection Program. We are also fast-tracking the issuance of arrest warrants and seeking to place the suspects on the DILG most wanted list.’
Marantan concluded by outlining the actions taken, including increasing the reward, calibrating pawnshop security, and seeking media intervention.
He emphasized that only one suspect is in custody and that the others are at large, but that police are actively pursuing them.
The DCPO chief maintained that Davao City remains the safest city.
