Messenger, 66, hurt in Makati mugging

MANILA, Philippines - A 66-year-old messenger was shot in the left thigh after he tried to fight off a robber who pounced on him as he was walking to a bank in Barangay Palanan, Makati City to deposit P100,000 yesterday morning.

A report reaching the Makati police station said Celedonio Salcedo was walking along Edison street at about 11 a.m. when he was approached by the still unidentified assailant.

According to the report, Salcedo, who works for a softdrink dealer, was grappling for the robber’s gun when it went off.

The robber then fled with Salcedo’s bag, which contained the money he was supposed to deposit at a nearby bank.

Police said the robber boarded a motorcycle driven by a cohort and fled.

Salcedo meanwhile was rushed to the nearby St. Clare’s Medical Center for treatment of his gunshot wound.

The Makati police has started a hunt for the robbers.

On Dec. 26, 2013, Racquel Ricafrente, a 21-year-old appraiser of the Tambunting pawnshop, was killed when she resisted two robbers riding a motorcycle, also in Barangay Palanan.

According to reports, Ricafrente was walking along Dian street at about 11 a.m. on her way to a bank on the same street when the robbers cut her off at the corner of Calatagan street and shot her in the head when she refused to give up a bag that contained an undetermined amount of money she was supposed to deposit.