2 hurt in Makati bank heist

Two employees of the East-West Bank on Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City were wounded after three unidentified men robbed the bank of a still undetermined amount of cash late Sunday afternoon.

Bank teller Noli Veloria and security guard Michael Estampa each sustained a gunshot wound in the foot. Their companion, security guard Jun Albania, was unhurt.

Veloria, accompanied by the two security guards, arrived at the bank on board their armored van at around 5:30 p.m. after collecting clients’ deposits, said case investigator Police Officer 1 Noli Jucal of the Makati police theft and robbery section.

After parking on Jupiter street, the group proceeded to the Gil Puyat Avenue side of the bank, where the depository vault was located. Veloria was holding the pouch containing the cash.

Estampa then saw two men standing near the bank. A few seconds later, the pair was joined by a third man, who announced the robbery as he opened fire. Albania tried to shoot back but his shotgun failed to fire, Jucal said.

Having been hit, Veloria dropped the pouch, which the robbers grabbed immediately. The robbers hailed a white taxi and escaped.

The heist only took five minutes, Jucal said, adding police are trying to get a description of the robbers from the victims to help establish their identities and lead to their arrest.

Veloria and Estampa were rushed to the Makati Medical Center for treatment.