Robbers ambush armored van in Cubao

Police are hunting at least 12 unidentified armed men after they robbed an armored van in Cubao, Quezon City. Two of the armored van’s guards were hurt after being shot by the suspects.

The robbers, armed with M-16 rifles, fled with a still undetermined amount of cash onboard four vehicles, including a Mitsubishi Adventure (XCJ-308) and a Toyota Hi-Ace, which they later abandoned along Dama de Noche in Barangay Mariana.

The injured guards were identified as Errol Gozon and a certain "Nodalo," both employed by the Asia Trust Fund Armored Truck Services. They both sustained bullet wounds in the legs and are now confined in a nearby hospital.

Initial reports showed that the incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. in front of a Dunkin’ Donuts shop located at the corner of Balete Drive and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao.

The armored van’s guards had just alighted and were about to collect money from the Dunkin’ Donuts branch when they were suddenly met with gunfire from the suspects, whom police said were lurking from behind.

A brief shootout ensued that led to the wounding of the two escort guards.

After snatching several duffel bags from the armored van, the gunmen immediately boarded their gateway vehicles and sped off. They later abandoned the vehicles and reportedly fled on foot.

Police said the robbers knew the schedule of the armored van’s pickups since the Dunkin’ Donuts branch was the last of 10 stops for collection yesterday. Sources said the amount taken was over P1 million.

Investigators said several of the suspects, believed to be remnants of the Kuratong Baleleng Gang, responsible for a spate of bank heists this year, may have been wounded since they found blood inside the two abandoned vehicles.

They also said the robbers had been sleeping inside their vans while staking out their target the previous night after investigators found mats (banig), sandwiches and bottles of urine inside the vehicles.

According to PO3 Rogelio Esteves of the Central Police District, manhunt operations were immediately conducted for the recovery of the cash and the arrest of the suspects.

"We have some witnesses, but the facts are still sketchy. However, we are confident that we would be able to solve this at the soonest possible time," Esteves told The STAR in a telephone interview.