4 hurt in botched Malabon robbery

MANILA, Philippines - A rookie police officer, an alleged robber, and two others were hurt in a shootout that followed a botched robbery attempt in Malabon City Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Villanueva, Malabon police chief, said Police Officer 1 Rugene Paule is still confined at the Chinese General Hospital.

“The bullet went through and through with no vital organ damaged. Our police officer is now safe,” Villanueva told The STAR.

Joseph Francisco, a resident of Navotas City and an alleged member of the Avila rob gang, remains under observation at the Dr. Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center because of a bullet wound in the stomach.

Villanueva said Paule chanced upon Francisco and Ferdinand Mark Avila, alias Mac-Mac, allegedly robbing Maria Luisa Clemente, 49, at her burger stand in Barangay Longos at around 3:32 p.m.

The suspects were trying to take Clemente’s gold bracelet but the victim put up a fight, prompting Francisco to shoot her in the abdomen.

Paule came to the victim’s rescue and introduced himself as a police officer. The suspects shot at Paule, who fired back. Paule and Francisco were both hit, and a stray bullet hit passerby Carmelita Lisundra in the left foot.

Police arrested Francisco and recovered from him a .38 caliber revolver.

Francisco’s accomplice, whom Villanueva tagged as the leader of the Avila rob gang, eluded arrest. Police are hunting him down.

Villanueva said the Avila rob gang is responsible for a series of recent robberies in Malabon City and they also operate in Navotas and Caloocan, preying mostly on commuters and fish traders.