Italian man shot during robbery

CEBU, Philippines - Two groups of foreign nationals, who are here for the Sinulog celebration, were victims of motorcycle-riding robbers early yesterday morning. One of the victims was shot on his legs.

Three Italians were robbed of cash and valuables outside their rented apartment in Barangay Capitol Site.

The victims were identified as Michele Acanfora, 72; Franco Palatacci, 62; and Si Michele Loungo, 67.

Loungo also sustained gunshot wounds on both legs after he was shot by one of the robbers, when he tried to fight off.

All three are natives of Caserta City in the southern part of Italy.

Mitzie Sabay, Loungo’s fiancée, said they were just outside their apartment when the two robbers, who were on board a blue motorcycle, struck.

She said that Loungo was about to close the gate, with Acanfora and Palatacci, when a motorcycle suddenly stopped near them.

One of the two men disembarked, pointed a gun at the three men and declared a holdup.

The robber then took Loungo’s blue Lacoste bag containing an IPhone worth P40,000; €5,000 (P280,000); P23,000, and other personal effects.

Loungo tried to fight off the robbers and was shot.

The robbers then divested Acanfora and Palatacci their necklaces worth an estimated € 1,000 (P56, 000) then fled towards Escario St.

The injured Italian was rushed to the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital.

Sabay said that she saw the whole incident as she was inside their vehicle as the group was supposed to go to Camotes Island.

The Cebu City Police Office immediately deployed the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG), the motorcycle cops, and other units, but failed to find the robbers.

Sabay said Loungo arrived in the city early this month for the Sinulog celebration.

Second incident

American National, Cindy Gonzalez Kujat, who is in the city also for the Sinulog celebration, became a victim of motorcycle-riding-robbers at Salinas Drive Extension in Barangay Lahug.

The victim said that she was walking along the said place when a motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of her.

The motorcycle back rider reportedly disembarked, approached the victim, pointed a gun at her and declared a hold up.

The robber demanded that she give him her pouch, but she resisted, prompting the robber to hit her hand with the gun forcing Kujat to give in.

The pouch contained a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, an IPhone, $25, and personal effects.

The robbers immediately fled after taking the pouch.

Local boys

CCPO Theft and Robbery Section Chief Rolando Pinili told The FREEMAN that they have identified the culprits of the two attacks to be local boys.

The police, however, assured the public that the two were isolated incidents and should not be cause for alarm especially for the tourists.

“This is an isolated case. This does not affect the peace and order situation of Sinulog,” he said.

He also asked the public to help them in their ope-rations against all forms of criminality, especially in the coming days. “Mag tinabangay lang ta tanan,” he said.   The Police Regional Office – 7 has also considered tourist security to be one top concern during the Sinulog celebration.

PRO-7 deputy for Operations Sr. Supt. Louie Oppus said that they have instructed their men, especially in Cebu City, to put-up more police tourist assistance centers. 

CCPO Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe assured that tourist assistance desk will be put-up in strategic areas throughout the city.

“Each sector will have its own tourist assistance desks together with a rescue team,” he said.

The police have divided the areas surrounding the carousel route into eight sectors for easy management.   Last Thursday, CCPO had a dry run where they discovered a weak point in their preparations saying, “We still have to improve our communications. We need more radios.” —/NLQ (FREEMAN)