Taguig employees nab robber

Two employees of the Taguig City Hall became “instant heroes” after literally running to the aid of two robbery victims and arrested one of the three armed suspects in Barangay Bagumbayan yesterday. 

An investigation by the police found that victims Wally Babagay, 19 and his girlfriend, Bernadette Sedan, 17, were walking along the Cruz Compound in Barangay Bagumbayan at 4 p.m. when they were held up by the suspects, who were armed with a handgun.

The victims were divested of their cellular phones, a necklace and cash.

Bernardino Buenavista, 61, and Danilo Javier, 51, were on their way home on board a tricycle when they heard the victims shouting for help and, upon seeing the fleeing suspects, they got off the vehicle and ran after the suspects.

The two city hall employees’ heroic feat resulted in the arrest of Glenn Saulda, 31, a resident of Purok 6-C, Bagong Tanyag.

Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga commended Buenavista and Javier, both residents of Barangay Bagong Tanyag, and members of the city government’s Public Order and Safety Office for a job well done.

“When people put their lives on the line for complete strangers, duty-bound to help a fellowman in need despite the danger, that means we are heading in the right direction,” Tiñga said. 

He also said he was pleased that these two city hall employees exemplified the two virtues most valued in public servants – selflessness and heroism.

“They were not thinking of getting any reward, they did not even think of the risk they would be taking considering that the suspects were armed,” Tiñga said. “They acted instinctively to help someone in need and that is something worthy of emulation.”

He added that, “if more and more Taguigeños act selflessly, ready to take on any risk just to help others, then Taguig will be well on its way to become a great city.”

Buenavista and Javier will be awarded citations during the flag ceremony at the City Hall on Monday.

Saulda is allegedly a known bully who even extorts money from high school students passing through the Cruz Compound and even in Bagong Tanyag.