Manhunt on for Manila jewelry shop robbers

MANILA, Philippines - Police launched a manhunt yesterday for the remaining members of a gang who staged a daylight robbery of a jewelry store in Sta. Cruz, Manila Thursday.

An arrested suspect, Basir Basilon, led policemen to their hideout in a Muslim community in Bicutan, Taguig City. The group members are believed to be remnants of the “Martilyo Gang” who used hammers to smash the display counters and grab the jewelry from their targeted store.

Basilon, a self-confessed leader of the group, told police he and at least six other members went inside The Sisters (formerly Primarosa) Jewelries and General Merchandise at around 4:10 p.m. and pretended to be customers. Once inside, one of the suspects smashed the glass display counters with a hammer and other members of the group started taking the jewelry.

Store owner Jerome Silverio tried to subdue one of the robbers but was shot in both legs. His two brothers, Adriano and Tiburcio; and store employee George Pascua were also shot when they came to Jerome’s aid. The four men are under observation at the Metropolitan Hospital.

The shots alerted Danny Orbe, a security guard of a nearby pawnshop, but he was shot dead by the gang’s lookout. Responding policemen traded shots with the fleeing robbers, resulting in the death of suspect Allan Baraguir and another alleged robber.

Basilon, who was being chased by police and bystanders, lobbed an MK2 grenade. Juvy de Guzman, Jhoanna Ong, Evelyn Mercollo, Marishel Atendido and Paraluman Predino suffered shrapnel wounds from the blast and are being treated at the Mother and Child Hospital.

Police recovered eight cartridge cases from .45 caliber pistols, two 12-gauge shotgun cartridges, a hammer, a bloodied rattan stick, a backpack containing t-shirts and jeans and a sling bag with a long-sleeved shirt at the scene of the robbery.

Police said Basilon was charged before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office with robbery with homicide, three counts of murder and multiple counts of frustrated murder.

– Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle