2 nabbed for footbridge robbery victim’s death

MANILA, Philippines - Two transport terminal barkers were arrested Thursday after they were tagged in the death of a man who fell from a footbridge while fighting off robbers who snatched his mother’s necklace.

Bienvenido Soriano, 34, and his stepson John Paul Retone, 18, were arrested at their house on NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, said Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano. 

A female barker identified them as the ones who allegedly staged the robbery that led to the death of accountant Nocky Briguez, 30, who fell from a footbridge at the corner of Edsa and Quezon Avenue while struggling for possession of the necklace snatched by the two men from his 68-year-old mother, Paz, Albano said.     

He added that Soriano was found with a homemade gun while Retone yielded a bladed weapon when they were arrested.

The two men underwent inquest proceedings on charges of robbery with homicide and physical injury and violating the election gun ban, said QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao.  

The robbery happened on Monday night when the Briguezes were on the footbridge and Rotone reportedly grabbed the old woman’s necklace. Paz said in an interview that they had just cast their votes and were supposed to take a Metro Rail Transit ride home when the robbery happened.

Paz said they stopped on the footbridge’s second landing after she got exhausted from walking.

She said the two men suddenly approached them and snatched her necklace.

A scuffle ensued between her son and one of the suspects and during the struggle, Nocky even embraced her before both of them fell off the footbridge, Paz said. 

Inspector Elmer Monsalve said a female barker came up to them on Wednesday and identified the two suspects.