Robbers hit ship firm in Navotas

Eight armed men, including one in police uniform, robbed a shipping firm at the height of a downpour and managed to run away with some P200,000 in cash early yesterday morning in Navotas.

Senior Superintendent Raul Gonzales, acting Northern Police District Office (NPDO) chief, identified the firm victimized as Solid Shipping Lines Corp. at 42 H. Lopez Street, North Bay Boulevard South, Navotas.

Probers gathered that the attackers arrived in a black Ford Expedition (CTN-817) at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday. The uniformed man, who introduced himself as a policeman, was carrying a baby Armalite and tricked the guard into allowing him inside the premises.

Security guard Ginie Mantilla, 19, said the "cop" told him he was after somebody who fired a gun inside.

"May nagpaputok diyan sa loob. Papasukin mo kami para maamoy namin ang mga baril nyo kung amoy pulbura," Mantilla quoted the uniformed man.

The guard then dutifully obeyed the suspect’s order.

Mantilla has not fully opened the gate yet when the cop’s cohorts suddenly appeared with their guns drawn and quickly disarmed him and the other guards caught by surprise.

They were then herded to a nearby warehouse where their hands were tied with packing tape before barging into the main office where the vault containing the cash was kept.

Police theorized it was an inside job as the suspects knew exactly where their loot was hidden.

The Navotas police has launched followed up operations to bag the suspects. — With Pete Laude