Azares said they are members of the dreaded “Cuberos Robbery/Holdup Group operating in different parts of Southern Mindanao .

The police official said Cejas, Cuberos and de la Cruz are cousins and all residents of Barangay Matti, Digos City .

Cuberos is a younger brother of Dodong Cuberos – a group member who is currently detained at the provincial rehabilitation center after police arrested him the other year.

In a media interview, Azares said robbery cases have been slapped against two of the suspects who also vowed to turn “state witness” against their comrades.

The PSOG placed the alleged robbery group under surveillance for several months until they received a tip that they are hatching a robbery plot for the Pepsi Cola Warehouse situated along Rizal Avenue , Digos City on Sunday, Azares said.

“We were at the vicinity of the warehouse since 8 a.m. knowing they would launch the robbery at about 10 a.m. but the group apparently delayed there attack as scores of clients and hauling trucks going in and out of the warehouse,” Azares said.

The police said when the security guards closed the warehouse gate the suspects prepared to launch the attack by knocking the gate. But before the guards will open the gate police immediately pounced on them. 

“We seized two .45 caliber pistols from them,” Azares said. 

He said they still have some backup comrades nearby but escaped during the commotion. 

Azares said the group has numerous safe houses in the province. “One in Barangay Kanapulo, Magsaysay and sometimes they conducted meeting in Barangay Aplaya in Digos City .” 

“We are still preparing to file the case against the three other suspects,” the police officer said.