1 dead, 1 hurt in Caloocan rob try

MANILA, Philippines - A trader was wounded while his driver died during a robbery attempt in Caloocan City yesterday morning.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos said meat vendor Arnel David, 46, is confined at the Lourdes Hospital due to bullet wounds in both legs.

His driver, Nexon Bernas was declared dead on arrival at the Valenzuela General Hospital, Santos said.

David was driving his blue Isuzu pickup truck (XMS 656) with Bernas as his passenger along Gen. San Luis street in Kaybiga after withdrawing money from the automated teller machine of a bank in the area when two men on a motorcycle blocked their path.

One of the suspects got off the motorcycle, approached David with a drawn handgun, and demanded his money. The other suspect went to the other side of the vehicle watching Bernas.

When David reached for his wallet in his pants’ back pocket, both suspects shot at the businessman and his driver.

The gunmen “escaped with nothing,” Santos said. “Maybe the suspects thought David went for his gun, so they fired at him and Bernas.”

Police said several 9mm and .45 caliber shells were recovered from the crime scene. – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude, philstar.com