2 killed in high noon robbery

Two persons were killed, including one of the suspects, in a daring high noon robbery holdup of a hardware store yesterday in Caloocan City.

Initial investigation showed suspect Antonio Bartolome, a warehouseman of Jacob Industrial and Mill Supply owned by Pete Sin Tan on 7th Avenue in Caloocan City, died of several gunshot wounds when he shot it out with responding policemen after trying to rob his own employer during lunch break.

Tan’s maid, Leah Aquino, died about two hours later at the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital after she was shot in the left side of the face by Bartolome. Probers recovered Bartolome’s caliber .38 revolver and five rounds of live ammunition at the crime scene.

Bartolome’s four cohorts allegedly escaped in a waiting gateway vehicle as responding policemen led by Chief Inspector Nestor Dioso surrounded the area.

SPO2 Antonio Paras said that the robbery took place at around 12:30 p.m. yesterday as the store closed for lunch.

Aquino was about to go out of the store to get food from one Fe Lauson, when Bartolome, who apparently was waiting in ambush inside the store, fired upon Aquino hitting her in the face. Aquino was still able to run while crying out for help. Lauson quickly called for police assistance.

After shooting Aquino, Bartolome allegedly ran to the second floor where he was cornered by responding policemen. PO1 Felipe Fermin, who was grazed in the head, exchanged gunshots with Bartolome, who was later hit. The robbers failed to get anything of value from the store nor from Tan, police said.

Meanwhile, two drunken bums claiming to be members of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansa ng Makabayan (RAM) were locked up by police for allegedly mauling two taxicab drivers in Caloocan City the other night.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mantele identified the suspects as Miguel Sumagaysay, 34; and Ronnie Poblacion, 30, both jobless and residents of Barangay Baesa, Novaliches in Caloocan City.

Recovered from the two were two alleged RAM identification cards.

Investigation conducted by PO2 Marlon Bingayen showed the incident occurred at around eight Thursday night inside the R&E taxi compound in Baesa while the two victims were having a conversation.

Victims, Alfredo Valerio, 47, and, Benjamin Omana, 42, said the suspects, who were intoxicated, arrived from nowhere and introduced themselves as RAM members. Without a word, the duo started hitting them with fist blows and dragged them to their parked taxicabs where they were beaten up some more.

The suspects were gone as soon as they came but the victims immediately sought police assistance. Quick responding policemen caught up with the fleeing suspects and arrested them. – Jerry Botial