Twenty-five empty boxes of jewelry placed in a bag believed to be from a robbed pawnshop were discovered by a boy near a fishpond at Brgy. Ermita, Dumangas, Iloilo around 7 a.m. yesterday.

Senior Inspector Jonathan Pinuela, Dumangas police chief, said that they are coordinating with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to ascertain if the boxes were part of the loot from Saturday’s daring broad daylight robbery at Sarabia Pawnshop and Jewelry Store at corner Guanco and JM Basa Sts., Iloilo City.

“It is also possible that one of the suspects is living within the area,” he added.

Earlier arrested was Ernesto Estrella, Jr., 45, of Sitio Dapdap, Gen. Hughes St., City Proper. Two other suspects were also identified by the store employees. They and seven others are facing charges.

Estrella denied his involvement and claimed no knowledge on his purported cohorts.

However, police records showed that he was involved in homicide, frustrated homicide, and robbery in the past.

Earlier, Rep. Jerry Treñas of the lone district of Iloilo City offered a P100,000 reward for those who could point to the suspects that robbed his in-laws’ jewelry store.*