Student, 18, foils robbery

MANILA, Philippines - An 18-year-old student of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) foiled a robbery in a passenger jeepney by grabbing the suspect’s gun yesterday in Caloocan City.

Tacorda was texting in the jeepney going to Navotas City when Emerson Camba, 32, flagged down the vehicle and sat beside him at 10 a.m.

Upon reaching 4th Avenue, Camba ordered the driver to stop the jeep, pulled out a gun and declared a holdup.

The suspect grabbed the student’s bag and demanded his cell phone.

Tacorda refused to yield his phone and tried to take the suspect’s gun. They wrestled for the gun until they fell out of the jeep.

The suspect tried to pull the trigger of his improvised .38 caliber revolver, but it jammed, enabling Tacorda to grab it and run away.

Passersby went after the suspect and beat him.

Aldfredo Fernandez, a fireman, saw the commotion and arrested Camba.

Police Officer 1 Richard Canlas of the Northern Police District’s investigation unit said the suspect was charged with frustrated robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, and violation of the Omnibus Election Code.