Robbers hogtie businessman, family in QC

MANILA, Philippines - A businessman and his family were tied up in their house by robbers who stole around P3 million in cash and valuables Sunday afternoon.

Senior Police Officer 4 Alan de la Cruz, head of the theft and robbery investigation section of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said Johnny Monje, 45, lost P1.5 million and $10,000 in cash, his .45 caliber pistol, jewelry, laptops and mobile phones.

Monje told police there were around five men involved in the break-in, two of them armed with .45 caliber pistols and a .38 caliber revolver while the rest had knives.

Based on descriptions given by the victim, De la Cruz said they are now comparing the sketches with known members of robbery groups based in Caloocan and Pateros.

De la Cruz said they found out that at around 2:30 p.m., Monje’s brother-in-law, Ricardo Valdez Jr., was replacing a closed-circuit television camera in front of the residence when the armed men arrived.

Valdez was dragged into the living room, where Monje who was resting in a sofa bed. Valdez, Monje and his wife as well as their son were then hogtied using electrical wire in the living room.

The robbers saw Monje’s daughters on the second floor and bound them.

The robbers then ordered Monje’s wife to accompany them in scouring the three-storey residence. After they collected their loot, the armed men brought the entire family into the stockroom.

The robbers then told the family that a hand grenade had been placed at the door and there would be an explosion should they try to open it.

The robbers were seen boarding a waiting cab along Kasing-Kasing street and speeding off toward Kamias Road.