Makati village chief loses SUV to carjackers

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay chairman lost his Toyota Fortuner to a carjacker in Quezon City, while his female companion was hurt when she jumped out of the vehicle to escape.

Barangay Magallanes chairman Armando Padilla, 54, was buying bread at a shop along Timog Avenue at around 1 a.m. yesterday when a man with a handgun, his face hidden under a ski mask, boarded his sport utility vehicle. He had left it unlocked, with the engine running and the key still inserted.

Senior Police Officer 2 Pio Torrecampo believes the carjacker might not have known the Fortuner was occupied by Maria de Ocampo, who put up a fight.

The carjacker was able to drive away and head toward Judge Jimenez street, where De Ocampo managed to jump out.