PUJ robber nabbed, mauled by residents

CEBU, Philippines - A man was caught while his companion escaped after reportedly robbing a public utility jeepney along Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City Saturday evening.

Rommel Cuico, a resident of the nearby sitio Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero, landed in jail with an injury after he was mauled by the residents following the robbery. His alleged companion, a certain “Edmund,” eluded arrest.

Based on the report, Rosalinda Mangayao and her daughter took a jeepney ride at around 6 p.m. in front of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. The suspects also boarded the jeepney.

The jeepney was already traversing MJ Cuenco Avenue in Barangay T. Padilla when the two men declared a hold up.

“Sa Cathedral, nikapyot na sila daan sa jeep. Sa MJ Cuenco, sa Kwik Way Engineering Works dapit, mideklarar na sila og tulis,” shared Mangayao.

The suspects allegedly pointed a gun at the passengers and particularly told Mangayao that she would end up getting killed if she would not hand over her bag.

The robbers were able to get Mangayao’s bag as well as the belongings of the other passengers.

Cuico and Edmund alighted and ran towards T. Villa St., Barangay Tejero, where the Mangayaos live.

“Nisulod man siya sa eskina nga didto mi nagpuyo. Akong anak niingon nga ‘ma, atoa man na o. Mao ‘to nanaog mi. Naa m’ay mga standby sa dalan, among giingnan nga ‘gukora ninyo ang nanulis,” Mangayao nartrated.

Cuico was eventually intercepted and mauled by the bystanders.

Personnel from Waterfront Police Station arrived and pacified the residents. Cuico sustained cuts in his face and mouth.

The police recovered from the suspect a cal. 38 revolver, a small pack of suspected shabu, and a mobile phone owned by Marlon Ungon, one of the passengers.

Cuico, in an interview, denied involvement in the robbery. He said the victims just mistakenly pinpointed him.

 “Naangin lang gyud ko ato, wala man ko nagkuan. Ang kadtong usa ang nagkuha sa bag,” Cuico alleged, adding that it was only by chance that he was in T. Villa St. that time.

However, the Mangayaos positively identified him as the same man who pointed a revolver at them and demanded for their personal belongings.

The suspect will be facing charges for robbery and for violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.  (FREEMAN)