P50-M jewelry heist in Ozamiz City: Police probe ‘Termite Gang’ for historic Mindanao robbery

OZAMIZ CITY – An estimated ₱50 million worth of jewelry and cash was stolen in a daring heist at Gaisano Ozamiz Mall on January 1, 2024, in what is now considered the biggest robbery in Mindanao’s history.

Reports indicate that the “Termite Gang,” a notorious local crime syndicate, is suspected to be behind the incident.

The robbery was discovered on Monday morning when Randy Molina Villadores, the stock-in-charge of the mall’s food court, attempted to open the roll-up door and found it had been cut off.

Ozamiz City police responded immediately and launched an investigation into how the robbers infiltrated the building. Initial reports suggest that the suspects gained access by tunneling through the drainage system meters away from the mall, leading directly into the food court.

According to information gathered by Newsline, the robbers first entered the food court and then made their way to the jewelry shops, looting vast amounts of cash and valuables.

• Businesses affected:
• GKC Jewelry Shop: Lost approximately ₱1,721,903 worth of assorted jewelry.
• Oro Italia Fine Jewelry Shop: Lost approximately ₱40 million worth of jewelry.

ATM Machine: The robbers also carted away ₱80,000 in cash from an automated teller machine (ATM) inside the mall.

The Ozamiz City Police has formed a special investigation unit and established an Incident Operation Center (IOC) to lead the probe. The PNP Forensic Unit (MOCPFU) has been tasked with meticulously processing the crime scene.

Police have reportedly invited three individuals for questioning to assist in the investigation. There is speculation that some workers from a carnival located near the mall, which had been operating for over a month, may have knowledge of the crime. The carnival site has since been sealed off by authorities.

The Ozamiz City Police has yet to issue an official statement detailing the full extent of the heist and the progress of their investigation. Meanwhile, security has been heightened across commercial establishments in the city to prevent similar incidents.

Authorities are now focused on tracking down the perpetrators and verifying whether the Termite Gang was indeed responsible for the heist.