Just when you thought the Dumaguete City streets were safe with the capture of 25 holduppers and snatchers last year, the police now say that these suspects have either been released, or are about to be released from jail.

Chief Inspector Manuel Hidalgo, Dumaguete Police chief, said the suspects are either out on bail or have gained freedom as the cases filed against them have been dismissed.

"This is because the victims did not show up in court during the hearings," lamented Hidalgo "The victims lose interest in pursuing the case after they recover their stolen belongings," he added.

In the case of erstwhile "public enemy number one" Reyboy Guinit, three of the four cases filed against him have already been dismissed, and only one remains pending. And the cases against Guinit were also dismissed due to the lack of witnesses. But Hidalgo assured that they continue to monitor the activities of these freed suspects and their photos are available at the police station for easy reference in case a crime is reported.

The 25 snatchers and holduppers are between the ages of 19 and 50. Most of them are in their 20s.

Hidalgo also said that they are still having difficulty in convincing more witnesses to come out to testify against the suspects in the killing of prominent individuals in Dumaguete. He said the evidence they have against the suspected killer of Angeling Lajato is only enough to obtain a warrant of arrest but may not be enough to ensure a conviction in court. Hidalgo denied reports that they have already bagged the triggerman in the case of the killer of city treasurer Erlinda Tumongha.*

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