Alleged mastermind of Cebu City pawnshop robbery passes Bar exams

Cebu City (CNN Philippines, December 7) — The alleged mastermind in a pawnshop robbery in Cebu City last month was among those who passed this year's Bar examinations.

Jigger Geverola, a former political detainee, was arrested by Cebu City Police Office operatives on Nov. 28 following the extra-judicial confession of the arrested suspects in the Oro Sugbo pawnshop heist. One of them is the alleged mastermind's nephew.

They claimed it was Geverola who instructed them to bring the getaway vehicle to a mountainous area in Argao town, but they were intercepted by the police resulting in their arrest.

Geverola has repeatedly denied the allegation. He said he was too busy studying for the Bar exams then.

"Based sa nahitabo nako karon, murag ang purpose gyud sa Ginoo nga pahinumduman ko sa akong gisaad nga kung makapasar ko, akong gamiton sa pagpangalagad ngadto sa Ginoo ug sa katong mga nagkinahanglan," Geverola told reporters in an interview.

[Translation: Based on what happened to me now, maybe God wants to remind me to fulfill my promise if I pass the Bar exams, that is to serve Him and to serve those who are in need.]

"Una nakong cliente ang kauban nako diri sa selda karon nga 41 ka buok. Pro bono," Geverola added.

[Translation: My first clients would be my 41 cellmates here. Pro bono.]

Police Lt. Col Janet Rafter said a case for «robbery in band» was already filed against Geverola at the Prosecutor's Office on Dec. 1 along with the other suspects.

Cebu City-based correspondent Dale Israel contributed to this story.