KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — Armed robbers made off with millions of pesos worth of jewelry after staging a brazen daylight heist at a pawnshop in the city’s public market area on Saturday morning, April 11, 2026.
Authorities identified the target establishment as A.V. Jewellery Pawnshop, located along Quezon Boulevard on the National Highway, near the entrance of the Mega Market. The robbery occurred at around 9:00 to 9:20 a.m., catching employees and bystanders off guard.
Initial police reports said three to four male suspects, all armed, entered the pawnshop and immediately took control of the situation. The security guard on duty, who was reportedly unarmed at the time, was held at gunpoint and rendered helpless, allowing the perpetrators to carry out the crime without resistance.
Investigators said the suspects swiftly looted display cases containing gold jewelry and seized cash from the establishment. Witnesses also reported that one of the suspects acted as a lookout while the others carried out the robbery inside.
The suspects allegedly arrived and fled the scene on motorcycles, believed to be Aerox units, enabling them to escape quickly before responding police units could intercept them.
Estimates of the stolen items vary, with the pawnshop management initially placing losses at no less than ₱1 million. However, subsequent assessments by investigators suggest the amount of the stolen gold jewelry may reach up to ₱3 million.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured the entire incident and is now being reviewed by authorities to identify the suspects. Copies of the footage are being processed to aid in the ongoing investigation.
Personnel from the Kidapawan City Police Station responded promptly to the scene, but the suspects had already fled. A manhunt operation is now underway, with police conducting a 24-hour hot pursuit to track down and apprehend those responsible.
Authorities are also looking into possible lapses in security, particularly the absence of a firearm for the on-duty guard, which may have contributed to the suspects’ ability to execute the robbery with ease.
The incident has raised concerns over security in commercial areas, especially in busy public markets, as police continue to urge business establishments to review and strengthen their safety measures.
No injuries were reported during the robbery, but the investigation remains ongoing.