DOST scholar hurt in failed robbery

MANILA, Philippines - A graduating scholar of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Caloocan City High School was hurt when he foiled an attempt by four men to grab his necklace in Caloocan City yesterday morning.

Ernest Jasper “EJ” Rigor, 15, was accompanied by his father, Rodelio, 49, when he filed a complaint before the police against suspects Roberto Enriquez, the alleged leader of the group; Noviero Rase, 19; and two 17-year-old boys. 

The Rigors told The STAR Enriquez signed in the Barangay 7 blotter that he was 22 years old but claimed before the police that he was only 16, apparently in a bid to take advantage of the Juvenile Justice Act, which prohibits minors from being put in the same jail cell as adult crime suspects.

EJ, still wearing a bloodstained uniform, showed an inch-long cut on his right cheekbone, which he said was inflicted by Enriquez using a fiberglass weapon called “four fingers.”

EJ told The STAR he was waiting for a jeepney to take him to school at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday when Enriquez appeared by his side and tried to grab his necklace. He said he resisted and Enriquez punched him, opening a cut on his cheekbone.

EJ said Enriquez panicked as blood spurted from the cut and “signaled” his cohorts to run.

Witnesses later led barangay watchmen to the suspects, who were brought to the barangay hall for a confrontation with the Rigors.

EJ identified Enriquez and the other suspects as the ones who attacked him.

Enriquez, who came to the hall barefoot, initially denied he punched Rigor but his sister, Mayette, was instructed by an unnamed barangay official to bring the suspect’s bloodstained slippers. Faced with the evidence, Enriquez denied the failed robbery but admitted that he punched EJ because he thought the victim was an “old enemy.”

Enriquez and the other suspects told barangay officials they had taken marijuana and had an overnight drinking session just before the attack, EJ said.

The suspects were still detained at the Caloocan City police jail as of presstime.