"Robber" shot by police in foiled heist

CEBU, Philippines - A robber was shot while pulling off a heist in Minglanilla town yesterday while an elementary school teacher lost more than P16,000 worth of cash and valuables in another robbery incident in Consolacion on Thursday.

Suspected robber Archie Cabañero, 26, of Sitio Dawis, Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City sustained two gunshot wounds after he was shot by a policeman who responded to the robbery incident in Barangay Lipata, Minglanilla yesterday at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Instead of being taken to the police station, Cabañero, was taken to the Minglanilla District Hospital for treatment instead.

However, his cohort, a certain George, was able to elude arrest and fled.

Jovie Lapasaran, 21, of Barangay Cadulawan and Ethel Paragoso, 27, of Barangay Maghaway both of Talisay City and passengers of a multicab bearing plate number GWD-355 driven by Sabino Monteza, 50, of Barangay Inayagan, Naga, were able to recover their silver bracelets and a pair of earrings which were nearly carted away by the robbers.

Police Officer 2 Raymond Hortizuela was with PO1 Sean de los Reyes onboard his Honda XRM motorcycle patrolling the area when they noticed one of the passengers crying inside the multicab.

Hortizuela asked the passenger what happened but George answered saying it was nothing to worry about.

At this juncture, Hortizuela noticed the .38 revolver in the possession of Cabañero who was trying to hide the firearm.

This prompted the cop to ask all passengers to disembark. Just as the robbers disembarked from the multicab, Cabañero fired his revolver once at Hortizuela but he missed.

This prompted the cop to return fire and hit Cabañero on the lower portion of his right arm and right leg.

De los Reyes tried to arrest George but the latter escaped and left his .38 revolver loaded with four live ammunitions.

Recovered from the possession of Cabañero was the .38 revolver containing two ammunitions and two empty shells as well as one packet of shabu.

Police Officer 1 Evie Espina said Cabañero is still at the hospital while charges for robbery and violation of RA 9165 and RA 8294 will be filed on Monday.

Meanwhile, a teacher from Yati Elementary School lost more than P16,000 worth of valuables and cash after unidentified motorcycle-riding-men grabbed her shoulder bag where the items were kept.

Evelyn Camilo Omboy, 27, of Barangay Yati, Liloan alleged that she was walking along the national highway of Barangay Pitogo, Consolacion at 6:00 in the evening when she was blocked by the persons onboard a motorcycle without  a plate number.

Omboy was on her way to a pharmacy when the man riding in pillion disembarked from the motorcycle and grabbed her shoulder bag.  

 The victim failed to identify the robbers because their faces were covered with cloth.

The suspect then sped off towards Mandaue City. (FREEMAN)