Robber takes prof hostage

A suspected robber  was gunned down by policemen in front of the Manila City Hall early morning yesterday after he held a university professor hostage in a bid to escape arrest.

The still unidentified suspect was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Maynila. He was described as in his late 20s, of medium build and at least 5’4” tall. He had tattoos on various parts of his body. A .38 caliber revolver was recovered from the suspect.

According to Senior Inspector Marcelo Reyes, chief of the investigation and follow-up branch of the District Special Police Unit detailed at the Manila City Hall, he and several policemen were on their way to the Luneta Grandstand for their scheduled physical fitness test.

The police were going through the Lagusnilad underpass when they saw a robbery in progress. The suspect, upon seeing the approaching policemen, grabbed university professor Jacy Yumul by the neck and warned the lawmen that he will shoot his hostage if they come near him.

Police Officer 1 Jupiter Tajonera was able to draw near the suspect, whose gun jammed when he fired at Yumul’s head. The suspect fired two more times at the lawmen but missed.

Yumul, 25, a professor of Universidad de Manila (formerly City College of Manila) was unharmed. He told police that the suspect had a companion who sped away on his motorcycle when the policemen arrived.  — Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta