2 beauty queens, 2 others robbed

MANILA, Philippines - Two reigning beauty queens and their companions were robbed by motorcycle-riding men outside a restaurant in San Juan City Saturday night.

Miss Philippines-Earth 2013 Angelee delos Reyes; Miss Philippines-Fire 2013 Alma Casabal; De los Reyes’ boyfriend, character actor Yussef Esteves (real name Joseph Smisek); and another man identified only as Cliff had just stepped out of a Chinese restaurant on Abad Santos street at around 11 p.m. when the robbers struck, police said.

One of the robbers, described by police investigators as a look-alike of the late comedian Rene Requiestas, ordered the victims at gunpoint to hand over at least P800, an iPhone 5 worth P35,000, a MyPhone A919 cell phone worth P8,500, a pair of sunglasses worth P15,000, four books and keys to their condominium units.

Investigators believe the robbers were observing the victims as they had dinner because closed-circuit television footage show the robbers’ black motorcycle pass in front of the restaurant before returning to rob the victims.

Esteves said he thought of fighting back but changed his mind since the robbers had a handgun.

The robbers sped toward P. Guevarra street. Responding police officers failed to intercept them.