Off-duty policeman collars robber

CEBU, Philippines - An off-duty police officer on his way to a mall with his child pursued and arrested a robber who just victimized a jeepney passenger yesterday.

PO3 Arvin Guiroy had to leave his child on board his motorcyle to run after two men who robbed the cellular phone of Simon Caraga, 16, of Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City.

After firing a warning shot and a brief chase, Guiroy collared William Gingoyon, 22, an ex-convict near a mall at the North Reclamation Area.

Investigation revealed that Gingoyon and his unidentified companion were just standing at the roadside obviously waiting for the right time to strike.

When the jeepney that Caraga was riding stopped for the red light, they went near the boy, poked a small sickle at him and demanded for his cellular phone worth P5,000.

The two robbers immediately left and the passengers asked for help.

Guiroy, of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, noticed the commotion and immediately got off his motorcycle leaving his child behind.

He fired a warning shot but Gingoyon and his companion did not stop running.

Guiroy pursued them and arrested Gingoyon while his companion fled.

Recovered from Gingoyon’s possession were the victim’s cellular phone and several drug paraphernalia. 

Gingoyon, however, denied robbing Caraga saying it was his companion who did the crime.

His companion just gave the phone to him while they were running away from Guiroy.

Gingoyon admitted he was jailed in 2007 for robbery and was released last May 12.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said Guiroy will receive a commendation for his heroic act during the flag raising ceremony on Monday.

“This is beyond the call of duty,” Buenafe said.

The police are preparing robbery complaints against Gingoyon who is detained at the CCPO stockade.  (FREEMAN)