Pet shop, drugstore robbed

CEBU, Philippines - A pet shop was robbed in broad daylight at Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City yesterday.

Ereneo Relativo, 22, of Argao, Cebu, a shop attendant, said he never expected that they would be robbed when one of the suspects entered their pet store looking for dog shampoo.

Like any other customer, Relativo assisted his client to where the shampoos were displayed and expected to sell his products.

A few minutes later, another man entered the pet shop while the other pulled out a gun and declared a holdup.

”Ako gyud ang gitiunan og armas sa suspect mao nga wala gyud ko nakalihok, (The suspect poked a gun at me which was why I wasn’t able to move.)” Relativo said.

He said the armed robber reportedly instructed his accomplice to get the money form the cash register. A total of P7,500 cash and several of the attendants’ personal effects were stolen. 

Another shop attendant, Analyn Calidcud, 22, of Mandaue City, just came from the restroom when she saw the man holding a gun.

Calidcud said the two unidentified men were already inside their shop prompting her to run back to the comfort room but they were instructed to lay face-down or be shot.

She said they stayed down even if the robbers already fled until a customer arrived and helped them up. None of the victims saw the robbers fleeing from the crime scene.

Investigators are now reviewing security footage inside the pet shop to identify the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, last Sunday, Quality Drug Store located at Cor. A. Lopez & Katipunan Streets, in Barangay Labangon, this city, was also robbed by two armed men at around 10 p.m.

Leo Dimar, a drug store attendant, said a taxi reportedly pulled up and two men disembarked.

Armed with a cal. 22 revolver, one of the robbers pointed a gun at him and declared a holdup.

Two other female attendants stood in shock while one of the suspects went to the cash register and took their P5,000 proceeds. They were also told to lie face-down throughout the ordeal. 

The robbers fled onboard the same taxi with body number 475.

Investigators said the culprits from both incidents are all local boys.

The drug store does not have a security camera. (FREEMAN)