Robbers stab man, take cashier hostage

A man was stabbed while a cashier was taken hostage in two separate robbery incidents in the city.

The first victim was identified as Romeo Ababon who was on his way home to Minglanilla town onboard a public utility jeepney when robbed by fellow passengers in barangay Basak, Cebu City.

According to Ababon, upon reaching the area, two of his co-passengers announced a holdup, but when he resisted, one of the men pulled out an icepick and stabbed the left side of his body, forcing him to give away his P5,000 cash that was his proceeds for that day as a mango dealer.

Later in barangay Basak Pardo, a suspected robber took hostage a cashier of Petron gasoline station in his failed bid to escape after carting away P2,200 cash from her.

Initial investigation revealed that Gilbert Debalocos, 37, of Cuanos, Minglanilla reportedly stormed the place where cashier Gesil Balighot was working.

Armed with a knife, Debalocos pointed the weapon at Balighot and immediately declared a holdup. But she shouted for help, prompting him to drag her and took her hostage.

One of the pump attendants came to her rescue and immediately struck Debalocos with an empty bottle so that Balighot managed to run away.

Nevertheless, Debalocos tried to fight back, but security guard Victor Agua appeared and shot Debalocos in his right arm that eventually resulted to the latter's arrest and detention at the Pardo police station. - Ryan P. Borinaga