4 dead in Pasig supermarket heist

MANILA, Philippines - A security guard tried to rob the supermarket where he was once assigned, killing three people before the head guard tackled him and pounded him to death with a crowbar in a horrific foiled heist late Saturday night in Pasig City.

Hernani Lupera, 35, shot in the head a merchandiser and two security guards of Robinsons Supermarket in Barangay Rosario. He fired at the officer-in-charge of the security guards, Juanito Bordadora, but missed.

Bordadora tried to shoot back but his gun jammed. He managed to wrest the gun from the robber, then grabbed a crowbar and pounded Lupera in the head until the suspect lay dead on the pavement.

Lupera’s three companions fled without any loot.

They left behind three fatalities: security guards Melanie Belga, 35, and Frederick Perez, 34, and supermarket promo product merchandiser Nonie Onas.

All three were pronounced dead on arrival at the Pasig City General Hospital.

Information clerk Daisy Revadenevera, 26, was also hit and wounded. She was placed under observation in the same hospital.

Bordadora was unharmed.

Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel, Eastern Police District (EPD) director, said the suspects wanted the guards to open the vault containing the supermarket’s two-day earnings.

Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza, Pasig City police chief, said Lupera, of the Protect Security Agency, was formerly assigned at the Pasig supermarket but was transferred to the Robinsons branch in Paranaque City.

Rariza said the supermarket located along Ortigas Avenue had just closed at about 10:55 p.m. Saturday. When an employee went outside for garbage disposal, Lupera and his three companions barged in, grabbing a shotgun from a security guard at the entrance.

At gunpoint, they ordered the employees and security guards to lie face down on the floor.

Lupera approached cashier Ritchelda Andeza, and at gunpoint ordered her to open the vault.

The other suspects herded the security guards and other employees out of the treasurer’s office and brought them to the mezzanine, warning them not to make a sound.

Quoting witnesses, Rariza said Nonas became hysterical and pleaded with Lupera not to harm them, saying they have families to feed.

Lupera opened fire, hitting Nonas in the head. He continued firing at those lying face down on the floor, hitting Belga and Perez. Lupera then turned on Bordadora.

Police recovered the shotgun, Lupera’s 9mm pistol and a caliber .38 handgun inside a backpack. Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered four 9mm bullet casings and slugs.

The Pasig City police will examine closed-circuit TV footage of the supermarket to identify Lupera’s cohorts.