P2M lost in daring daylight holdup

At least P2 million in cash was reported lost to three men on a motorcycle who robbed three people at gunpoint inside a car at the corner of S. Cortez and A.S. Fortuna Streets in Banilad, Mandaue City, yesterday afternoon.

The victims, identified as Christopher Yu, Leslie Simon, and Antonio Gallaga, were inside their red Toyota Corolla car when the three suspected robbers came alongside their car just as it stopped for the red light.

The two passengers of the motorcycle, both armed with .45 cal. pistols quickly alighted and approached the car, then one of them knocked on the window of the front passenger seat, demanding the bag containing the money from Simon.

After Simon opened the window and gave the bag to the suspects, they immediately returned to their motorcycle and fled to an undetermined direction, leaving the stunned victims behind.

The policemen of the Casuntingan police station said they are having a hard time investigating the incident as the victims are allegedly uncooperative.

PO3 Jun Mondejar told The Freeman that when policemen went to the crime scene, the victims just locked themselves up inside the car and did not want to talk to authorities.

But initial investigations showed the victims had just withdrawn the money from a Metrobank branch and they were supposed to deposit it to another bank in Banilad.

It was confirmed from the bank that it was Simon who held the bag of money. Employees also said she was a regular client who withdrew money every now and then, but they said it was the first time they saw Yu accompany her.

Yu later sent to the police station his representative, Perfecto delos Reyes who recapped the details of the incident as told to him by Yu.

When asked what company he belonged, Delos Reyes only replied "Premiere" but did not elaborate. He however told police that Yu was the son of the president of the company that he also refused to identify.

Intelligence operatives are now tracking the former companions of arrested robbery suspect Ruel Rey Torres, including Junard Saladaga, Roldan Villamor Rodriguez, Nando Abapo and Danny Limotan.