Digos City, Davao del Sur – A 33-year-old policewoman was injured after falling victim to a robbery in the early hours of August 23, 2025, in Barangay Matti, Digos City. Authorities quickly tracked down and arrested the suspect in a hot pursuit operation on the same day.
The victim, identified as Police Corporal Vanessa Mae Mañacap Albasin, a resident of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, was reportedly attacked around 3:30 a.m. when she was forcibly taken by the suspect into a dark area. Despite resisting, she was struck on the head with a stone, causing her to lose consciousness and sustain serious injuries. The assailant then fled with her bag containing clothing, cash, a cellphone, and vital documents.
Responding officers from the Digos City Police Station, under the supervision of Provincial Director PCOL Leo T. Ajero, acted swiftly after receiving a 911 call at around 4:34 a.m. Mobile patrol units were immediately dispatched, leading to a coordinated hot pursuit operation.
By the same day, the suspect was arrested in Barangay San Isidro, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. He was identified as Albert Lering Lacarion, of legal age, and a resident of Barangay Tacol in the same town. Police reports revealed that Lacarion admitted to committing the crime, saying he was forced by financial difficulties as he prepared for his child’s upcoming birthday celebration.
The arrest was made possible through the victim’s testimony, corroborated by CCTV footage, and the identification of the tricycle used during the crime. Albasin was rushed to the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The suspect is now detained while the Digos City Police prepares the necessary documents for the filing of charges through inquest proceedings.