“Hunger” forces man to rob girls

CEBU, Philippines- A man was arrested after he robbed two girls allegedly because of hunger in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City Sunday afternoon.

John Rey Maghanoy, of Talisay City, Cebu was detained at the Fuente Police Station when a barangay tanod and a policeman assigned in the area immediately responded to the alarm. His alleged cohort, a certain “Jonnel,” was able to elude arrest.

The victims were identified as Jazmin Yvette Reyes, 23, and Melissa Go, 22, both residents of San Juan City in Metro Manila.

Police Officer 2 Alexander Terado of the Fuente Police Station said at around 1 p.m. last Sunday, Reyes and Go were walking along Juana Osmeña Street in Barangay Kamputhaw.

However, Terado said Maghanoy and Jonnel suddenly approached the two and declared a holdup. Maghanoy was allegedly the one who pointed an ice pick at the victims.

Terado said the suspects then took by force the iPhone 6 worth P60,000 and a necklace from the two victims.

But as the two were about to get away, a barangay tanod and a policeman, who were in the area, were able to respond to the alarm and nabbed Maghanoy who was then turned over to the Fuente Police Station.

Jonnel was able to run away from the responding officers.

In an interview with the media yesterday, Maghanoy said he was forced to do the crime because he has been starving for two days already.

Maghanoy said he was laid off from work, which prompted him to ask for food from eateries. But since no one gave him food, he said he then decided to join his friend in the robbery.

“Nagmahay gyud ko. Sa kagutom lang to nako ba,” said Maghanoy.

However, Terado said they will still wait until tomorrow if the victims would show up to file a case against the suspect.  (FREEMAN)