MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – A bodyguard of a former mayor of Baliwag, Bulacan was snatched and P126,000 in cash was carted away in a robbery in a lodging inn on Thursday.
Police said former mayor Romeo Estrella was with former provincial board member Enrique Viudez, his bodyguard Joselito Hizon and one Ruben Delfoso at his Crystal Lodge in Baliwag town when four armed men barged in at around 3 p.m.
Estrella was able to slip into another room before the four men, clad in military uniforms and armed with .45-caliber pistols, tied up his companions.
The armed men took Hizon as they fled with P126,000 in cash, including P100,000 from Viudez, jewelry and wristwatches.
Estrella said he suspects he was the armed men’s target as they were looking for someone they did not name.
The incident happened a day after Estrella’s group filed a recall petition against Baliwag Mayor Carol Dellosa.