‘Frail’ victims beat up 2 robbers in Pasig

Two would-be robbers were beaten black and blue by two “frail-looking” men – who turned out to be the Muay Thai national coach and one of his players – they tried to hold up in Pasig City yesterday.

“They picked the wrong target and met their match,” said Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, referring to suspects Narciso Asibar, 18; and Damas Golariza, 20, both vendors and residents of Baybay Sapa in Antipolo City.

De la Cruz said Muay Thai national player Marlon Bimmahat, 21, and his coach, Rodrigo Asion, 30, were on their way to their quarters in the Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) in Barangay Oranbo when the suspects accosted them at 1 a.m.

At knifepoint, the suspects took Bimmahat’s and Asuncion’s bags and other belongings. However, when the suspects were distracted, Asion grabbed the knife pointed at him and repeatedly kicked the suspect in the body and head, De la Cruz said. Bimmahat joined his coach in the fray until they overpowered Asibar and Golariza.

Responding barangay watchmen stopped Bimmahat and Asion from inflicting further harm on the suspects, whom they later turned over to the Pasig City police.

Asibar and Golariza said it was their first robbery, and they were forced to do it to augment their meager income from selling vegetables.