Robbers abort heist in Pasig City

A witness’ repeated shouts for help dissuaded at least eight armed men from robbing a dry goods warehouse in Pasig City Saturday.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz said the armed men had disarmed two security guards but left in haste.

“Had the witness just maintained his silence, the robbers could have successfully pulled off the robbery,” De la Cruz said as he called on the public to follow the example of the witness, who has not been named.

De la Cruz said the robbers timed their attempt as the local police precinct in Barangay Rosario was conducting its roll-call formation.

Superintendent Romeo Aninag, acting Pasig City police chief, said two robbers entered the Right Goods Product Inc. warehouse in Barangay Santolan at about 8:20 p.m.

Once inside, the two robbers disarmed two security guards of their issued caliber .38 revolvers and a 12-gauge shotgun, before allowing into the compound their two Toyota Revos.

The robbers were about to get out of the vehicles when a witness ran outside the compound and shouted for help at the top of his voice.

Aninag said the robbers panicked.

The two robbers who disarmed the security guards joined their comrades inside their vehicles and fled towards an unknown direction.

Aninag said an attempt to verify the plate number of one of the vehicles, XXL-257, with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was not successful.

The Pasig City police chief said through their rogue’s gallery, witnesses identified one of the robbers as Alvin Flores, the alleged leader of a robbery gang behind the rash of robberies in eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province.

“Flores was identified as the one armed with a 9mm pistol who disarmed the security guards,” Aninag said.