NBI agent slain in jeepney heist

MANILA, Philippines - An agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was killed Monday night when he tried to fight off three men who robbed the passengers of a jeepney in Tondo, Manila.

Witness Medilo Marciano said when the three robbers announced the heist, Special Investigator 3 Gil Yanesa, 49, refused to give his wallet and his cell phone. Marciano said when Yanesa reached for his gun, one of the robbers stabbed him, and another grabbed the victim’s gun and shot him. The robbers then took turns stabbing Yanesa, who was left inside the jeepney as the other passengers scampered out of the vehicle.

The remains of Yanesa, who was assigned to the NBI-Anti Kidnapping, Hijacking and Armed Robbery Division, were brought to the NBI chapel before noon yesterday.

While there were reports that the NBI has been holding at least two suspects in Yanesa’s slay, none of the bureau’s officials confirmed them.

“We are still investigating the matter. We don’t want to compromise our operations as this involved our comrade,” said an NBI official who requested anonymity.

Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo, head of the Manila Police District homicide section, said three suspects were arrested during subsequent follow-up operations. The suspects’ names were not released. – Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle