Balikbayan killed in Las Piñas heist

A balikbayan who tried to stop a robbery near a money changing shop was shot dead yesterday along with a security guard in Las Piñas, according to police.

Michael Trinos, 59, from New York City, came to the aid of a woman whose bag was being snatched by armed robbers when he was shot dead, Las Piñas City police chief Perpetuo Sanson said.

Police said the robbers, who were on motorcycles and armed with caliber .45 and 9 mm pistols, also fatally shot security guard Venerando Taguba in front of the MIJO Money Changer located along Alabang-Zapote Road at around 10 a.m.

A female customer of a nearby restaurant was wounded when the robbers tried to shoot the eatery’s security guard but hit her instead. She was rushed to a hospital and was out of danger, police said. The robbers escaped.

The suspects initially tried to rob the money changer shop, but aborted the plan when a mobile unit passed by. They later held up a customer, identified as Diana Rolio, 20.

Trinos was waiting for his brother to change money when the shooting happened, his sister-in-law Connie Zialcita said. He was visiting his sick Filipino father and had been scheduled to return home on Monday, she said.

Police said Trinos tried to help the lady, which prompted the suspects to shoot him in the chest.

Taguba, the guard of Gem Craft pawnshop beside the money changer shop heard the gunshot and responded. But the suspects also shot him.

Officers on patrol tried to chase the suspects, but they got away with Rolio’s bag with P4,000 in cash. They fled on board a motorcycle.

Sanson said they were later able to arrest one of the suspects and recovered the vehicle. Police, however, refused to identify the suspect, who is undergoing tactical interrogation.

He said the lack of a security guard at the money changing shop could have enticed the suspects to stage a heist. — With AP