Teen robber kills Army man

A Philippine Army soldier was shot dead and then robbed of his valuables by a 16-year-old high school student and an accomplice in Tondo, Manila last Saturday afternoon.

Police records showed victim Richard Ballos, 34, of Area A Parola Compound sustained a gunshot wound each on the cheek and the back of his head. He was assigned at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Makati City.

Ballos was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital.

Police immediately arrested the suspect, a student at a public school who was said to be a notorious drug addict in the community. The authorities are still trying to identify the suspect’s accomplice.

Case investigator, Detective Steve Casimiro of the Homicide Division, said the incident happened at around 1 p.m. while the victim was washing his clothes in front of his house.

Without warning, the suspect shot Ballos. As the victim hit the ground, the suspect and his accomplice divested Ballos of his watch, necklace and two rings.

The suspect also reportedly threatened Ballos’ 10-year-old son with the gun after the young boy rushed out of the house upon hearing the gunshots.

The suspect was arrested by police officers from Station 2 of the Western Police District (WPD) at his house in a follow-up operation. He denied involvement in the incident.

He is now detained at the detention cell of the WPD Homicide Division. Charges of murder and robbery have been filed against him.

In Sampaloc, a 38-year-old man was killed by the attackers of his neighbor whom he tried to help last Saturday night.

Victim Feliciano Rizala, a painter residing at 1065 Norma street, died before reaching the Ospital ng Sampaloc.

He was beaten up and stabbed several times by about 10 to 15 unidentified men, according to an initial report by PO2 Jender Mercado of Station 4.

Investigation showed that at around 7:50 p.m., Rizal’s neighbor, Reynaldo Cuyugan, 34, came rushing to the store of the victim’s relative to seek help. Cuyugan’s hand was bloodied and a group of unidentified men were in pursuit.

Rizala came out armed with an iron bar but was repeatedly stabbed at the back by at least three of the men.