Family loses P5 M to robbers in QC

MANILA, Philippines - Robbers took advantage of a gate left open at a compound in Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City Sunday morning, barging into a townhouse and robbing its occupants of P5 million worth of cash and valuables.

The robbery happened at past 11 a.m. at the Macadaeg family’s townhouse in a compound along Scout Fuentebella street, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 10 commander Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. said.

The family helper was cleaning a vehicle parked outside the compound and had left the compound’s gate open. The suspects took the opportunity and barged into the Macadaeg home by destroying the screen door that was then locked.

Since the main door was also unlocked, the suspects managed to get in easily. Once inside, the suspects rounded up the entire family and their helpers. The eight household members were then kept inside the bathroom as the suspects ransacked the house.

Among those taken were cash worth P70,000, pieces of jewelry and two cellular phones. The suspects allegedly fled in a brown Hyundai Tucson.

QCPD director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano said the victims have identified two of the suspects as Dante Bercele and Maximo Ayao, alias Tuklaw, from a police file of suspected criminals.

The QCPD has launched a manhunt for the two suspects, Albano said.