Guard dead in rob try

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard was shot and killed yesterday afternoon when he tried to fight off two men who tried to rob a cosmetics store along N. Bacalso Avenue in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

The victim was identified as Ramil Buno, 44, a security guard who has been assigned to Avon Products and Cosmetics branch in Tabunok since 2002. He died of two gunshot wounds; one to the head, the other to the left side of his abdomen.

Danny Lopena, one of the franchise owners of the Avon branch, showed investigators CCTV footage of how the robbers tried to rob their store.

The footage showed that the two men went to the Avon store at 1:55 p.m. One of them, wearing a black jacket, pants and a cap went inside the store first. A minute later his accomplice, wearing a white T-shirt, shorts and a black cap, also entered.

A store attendant who requested anonymity said she entertained the first man who then asked to buy eyeliner. She asked him to have a seat while she processed her order.

"Ako ang nag-entertain niya kay mi-order man siya og eyeliner. Dili man ko makatuo nga tulisan kay gwapo ug nindot man siya og barug," she told the reporters.

She said she later noticed that the man she entertained was attacking Buno with a taser.

"Wala lang gyud abti og pila ka minutes kay naka-notice man ko nga gipakuryentehan niya si chief (Buno) unya nag-kirigkirig na siya," Aurelia said.

Despite the stun gun attack, Buno was still able to pull out his gun but one of them men shot him twice. Police are still trying to determine if the guard was shot with his own weapon or with a gun the robbers had been carrying.

Customers and store attendants scampered to the back of the store after hearing the gunshots while others ran outside. The two men casually left the store.

Superintendent Reycel Carmelo Dayon said they believe the two are not locals because they did not hide their faces.

"Ang akong pagtuo, ang mga suspetsado dili ni sila mga local group. They are not from Talisay City. But we will check and verify with other units based on the CCTV nga nakita," Dayon said.

Dayon said last week they got reports of a possible robbery in the city.

"We already received reports and that is why we have been conducting roving and patrolling in the city's street. Before the incident, miagi pa gani mi dinhing dapita," Dayon added.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and City Councilor Danilo Caballero, who went to the crime scene and watched the footage, said that they are saddened that someone had to die.

"Naluoy ko sa pamilya sa biktima. I am giving an order from our police to identify and catch the perpetrators," De los Reyes said.

De los Reyes observed minor lapses, especially on how the CCTV camera was installed.

"Ato makita nga wala man gyud matarong og plastar ang CCTV camera. If natarung siguro og butang, ma-klaro gyud siguro ang mga nawong sa suspetsado unya ang CCTV camera sa sulod wala pud nagtutuk sa mga tao nga misulod kun dili tutuk ra ngadto sa mga display sa maong tindahan," said De los Reyes.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)