2 security guards killed in robbery attempt

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines - Two security guards were killed while two others were seriously wounded in a bungled attempt by gunmen to rob a pawnshop in Koronadal City, shortly after noontime Thursday.

Six suspects armed with handguns barged into the Agencia Brillantes along Osmeña Street here and declared a holdup, provoking a firefight with security guards.

One of the pawnshop’s security guard, Joan Lazaga, was killed in the initial exchange of gunfire.

A responding guard from nearby Fitmart Mall, Aron Tamayo, was also killed as he traded shots with the gunmen.

Two other guards, Alfredo Pagarigan and Noel Villaroel, who works in nearby establishments, were also shot and wounded as they tried to prevent the escape of the suspects.

The suspects, one of them wounded, fled toward nearby Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat riding separate motorcycles.

Witnesses overheard the suspects talking to each other in Maguindanaon dialect before they entered the pawnshop they tried to rob.

Two passersby, Che-Che Galagan and Mark Anthony Dela Torre, were wounded in the crossfire. They were rushed, along with the wounded guards, to a hospital by responding policemen.

Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel has offered a P50,000 reward in exchange for any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects.