A suspect in the theft incident involving COMELEC Chairman George Garcia has admitted to serving as a lookout during the crime, according to the Pasay City Police.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Hazel,” a 44-year-old woman, was arrested in Las Piñas during a follow-up operation. In a statement from Pasay City Police Chief Col. Joselito De Sesto, Hazel admitted that her role was to act as a lookout—observing the area while her accomplices carried out the theft inside a restaurant in Pasay City.
Recovered from Hazel were several of Garcia’s belongings, including his Louis Vuitton bag, iPhone 16 Pro Max, IDs, keys, and wallet. However, ₱12,000 in cash was missing.
Police also revealed that the suspects initially mistook Chairman Garcia for a Chinese national, believing he was a foreigner based on his appearance.
“Ang akala nila is chinese looking foreigner po yung kanilang bibiktimahin. Nachambahan lang po nila kasi traffic yung area na ‘yun,” Pasay City Police Chief Col. De Sesto states in his interview with DZRH on Thursday.
The group reportedly fled the scene in a silver Toyota Innova, which was later traced to a man identified only as “Boboy.”
‘Boboy’ allegedly rented the vehicle used in the escape but is not among the eight suspects flagged by authorities. The getaway car was eventually recovered in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Police have already identified the majority of the eight individuals involved (aliases ‘Hazel’, ‘Boboy’, ‘Romson’, ‘Alberto’, ‘Jun’) and continue to pursue the remaining suspects.
