DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — An alleged robbery incident that sparked public alarm in Barangay Galas has been officially declared a fabrication by authorities, leading to the arrest of the complainant for obstruction of justice, police said.
The incident unfolded on January 16, 2026, when a delivery agent initially claimed he was robbed while parked along Lobing Ogis in Barangay Galas. According to early reports, the agent said two unidentified men forcibly took a large sum of cash from him after allegedly dragging him beside a wing van.
However, following a swift and thorough investigation, the Dipolog City Police Station determined that the robbery report had no factual basis.
Police identified the complainant as alias “Zimo,” 50 years old, an agent of Purepace Distribution Company and a resident of Sitio Abihid, Barangay Olingan, Dipolog City. Zimo initially claimed that ₱337,000 in cash and post-dated checks were stolen by two unknown individuals.
Investigators said inconsistencies quickly surfaced during questioning. Zimo’s statements repeatedly changed, and officers noted that he appeared to be intoxicated at the time of reporting. A search of his belongings further contradicted his claims: ₱3,000 in cash and the supposed “stolen” checks were found in his wallet, while another ₱6,000 was recovered inside the wing van.
Police also found that the amount Zimo claimed to have been stolen did not match his actual collection records from January 12 to 15, 2026, which totaled ₱354,900.07. Under company policy, agents are required to document collections through photographs for submission to their office—something Zimo failed to do.
CCTV footage from Barangay Galas also showed no evidence of two suspicious individuals entering or passing through the area at the time of the alleged incident, further weakening the robbery claim.
During continued probing by authorities, Zimo eventually admitted—before his co-workers—that no robbery had taken place and that he had used the money for personal purposes.
As a result, Zimo was arrested by PSSG Rahjick Necesario and is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police in Dipolog City, facing charges for obstruction of justice due to providing false information.
In an official public advisory, the Dipolog City Police Station emphasized that the widely shared reports of a robbery in Barangay Galas were “fake news” and urged the public to remain vigilant but discerning.
“This clarification aims to prevent the spread of misinformation, maintain peace and order, and avoid unnecessary fear among residents,” the police said, adding that patrols and police visibility across the city remain heightened to ensure public safety.
Authorities also called on residents to immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through official hotline numbers, stressing that community cooperation is vital in maintaining peace and security in Dipolog City.