Two collectors robbed in separate incidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two lending firm collectors were robbed in separate incidents by unidentified men on motorcycles last Friday. Police suspect they might have been victimized by the same perpetrators.

The first robbery happened around 2 p.m. in Barangay Perrelos, Carcar City, where a lending company collector lost his collection for the day worth P4,000.  

The victim was identified as Tommy Bonol, 24, a resident of Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City, a collector of the Double P Lending Company.

Initial investigation showed that the victim was collecting money from his clients in the said place when two suspects on board a motorcycle approached him.

The man riding pillion on the motorcycle pointed a gun at him and immediately declared a hold-up.

He gave up his earnings and his cellular phone out of fear and the two robbers immediately fled.

Later around 4 p.m., another robbery incident happened in Sitio Upper Bayong, Barangay Inayawan, Naga City.

The second victim was Rommel Peñas, 23, a resident of Barangay Pardo, Cebu City, an employee of DOLI Credit Collection.

Police said that the victim was also collecting money from one of his clients when two unidentified men onboard in a Honda Dash motorcycle suddenly approached him.

Once close enough, the passenger disembarked from the motorcycle and pointed a .357 cal. revolver directly in his face. Peñas immediately handed over his collection worth P4,300 and the robbers left.

The police are eyeing the possibility that only one group victimized the two collectors and are further investigating the two incidents.

They also asked lending firms and collectors to be more alert as robbers seem to be targeting collectors these past few months. (FREEMAN)