CCTV footage of polio victim's slay in shipyard reviewed

MANILA, Philippines - The Navotas police is reviewing footages of close circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the escape route of three robbery suspects who killed a polio victim and wounded three others in a daring noon time robbery outside a shipyard in Tanza Kaliwa, Navotas early this month, a top police official reported yesterday.

Police Superintendent Bernard Tambaoan, Navotas City police chief, said they have already requested copies of the recorded footages on April 10 which may have captured the escaping holduppers after divesting the victim Joy Teodoro.

Three other victims, – pedicab driver Robert Sanchez, and security guards Antonio Jonathan and Bernardo Alger of the K-9 security agency detailed at the Melita shipyard, were also hurt in the attack. Police report showed that Teodoro was on board a pedicab driven by Sanchez, and while traversing the narrow alley of Tanza Kaliwa were accosted by three unidentified men riding on a motorcycle.

Teodoro who was reportedly carrying an undetermined amount of cash was approached by the two suspects and grabbed the bag but the victim held on to the bag prompting the suspects to shoot him point blank in the head. The suspects also shoot pedicab driver on the right knee.

Alger and Jonathan who were on duty near the gate of the shipyard came out to investigate but they were also fired upon by the third suspect who acted as lookout. Jonathan was hit in the the right thigh and the bullet ricocheted and also hit his buddy Alger in the leg.

After taking away the bag containing money, the suspects boarded their motorcycle and fled towards Malabon City.

“The victim was rushed to the nearby Pagamutan ng Bayan but he was declared dead upon arrival,” Tambaoan said. The other victims were brought to nearby hospitals in Manila.

Last month the city government of Navotas has given business establishments two months to install video surveillance cameras as part of the anti crime measure being implemented in the city.

Mayor Toby Tiangco said the order which is in compliance with a newly approved city ordinance covers banks, pawnshops, money exchange shops/centers, convenience stores, major drugstores/pharmacies, internet shops and cafes, gasoline stations, money transfer centers, bills payment centers or bayad centers and grocery stores.

“The business establishments have two months period to comply with a local ordinance requiring the installation of video surveillance and monitoring systems inside and/or in the immediate vicinity of their areas” Tiangco said. He said with the use of video monitoring devices, police and investigators will have an easier time identifying the perpetrators of these robbery-hold ups and other illegal activities.

Non-compliance with the ordinance is punishable with a fine of P5,000 or six-month imprisonment, or both at the discretion of the court, Tiangco said.