Robbers hit pawnshop

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – Two robbers, armed with hammers, broke into a pawnshop and shot dead a security guard before fleeing with an undetermined amount of jewelry in Norala town, South Cotabato Thursday.

Reynaldo Batarlong, 31, of the Mindra Investigation and Security Agency, died at the scene from several gunshot wounds.

Town police chief Superintendent Joel Fuerta said Batarlong, who was detailed at the Palawan Pawnshop, tried to prevent the robbers from entering the shop at around 1:30 p.m.

Reports said the robbers used hammers in breaking the glass shelves containing the jewelry.

The men fled on a motorcycle toward nearby Barangay Serapinang.