Robbers kill pal cart P20 000 in bus heist

[Balita News Services]

CEBU CITY, JUNE 29 (PNA)--Four unidentified men robbed some
passengers of a Toledo-bound bus Saturday, but only three walked away
with some P20,000 cash.

One of the robbers died after his companion, while waving and
firing his gun, accidentally shot him in the head.

None of the passengers were injured.

However, Naga police failed to catch the robbers in a roadblock
because they were informed of the robbery some two hours after it
happened.

The robbery on the Toledo City-bound airconditioned bus began
around 6:50 p.m. Saturday in Mainit, Naga.

When one of the robbers got shot, his companions shoved the body
out of the way and proceeded with their plan.

They took some P20,000 in cash, jewelry and personal items.

Three of the robbers were armed with handguns, while the one who
died was carrying a hunting knife.

They did not bother to cover their faces.

The BT Express bus (plate number GVM 507) driven by Diony Canete
was from Cebu City.

The robbers announced the hold-up upon reaching Barangay Mainit
but commanded the driver to keep going.

P03 Carlo Cansico of Lutopan police said robbers usually strike
in the vicinity of that barangay because it is dark and secluded.

There were a number of passengers in the bus but only 18 were
victimized as the suspects panicked and got off the bus, leaving other
passengers untouched.

They reportedly boarded a red jeepney (route number 44) going to
Cebu City.

Naga police set up a roadblock but were too late as they were
alerted about the incident around two hours after it happened.

The incident was reported to the Lutopan police.

Arlene Cabonita, one of the passengers who did not lose
anything, told Lutopan police the robbers were very young.

Authorities have yet to identify the robbers but suspect they
are remnants of the Macapaz gang.

Naga police later found the body of the dead robber and examined
a wallet with a card inside marked 'To my beloved Eric."

He was wearing denim shorts, a white T-shirt and an orange
plastic earring in his left ear. He appeared to be between 25 and 30
years old.

His body is now at St. Francis Funeral Homes along N. Bacalso
Ave. in Cebu City. (PNA) fpv/EB/RE/ptr

PNA 06291600