3 robbers prey on cop, wife

CEBU, Philippines - Three unidentified men robbed a policeman of his service firearm, day’s sales of his family’s “halo-halo” business, and his wife’s necklaces at 11:30 p.m. last Thursday in Victoria Village, Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City.

SPO2 Emmanuel Sarmiento, assigned in the miscellaneous team of Guadalupe Police Station under the Cebu City Police Office and his wife Margarita, were allegedly attending to their small store when three unidentified motorcycle-riding men arrived and pretended as customers.

PO3 Arnold Damasco of Talisay City Police Office, who leads the investigation on the case, said Sarmiento, who was off duty at the time of the incident, got no choice but to surrender to the demands of the robbers.

Sarmiento and his wife were allegedly counting their day’s sales when the perpetrators came. Seconds later, the three armed men pulled out their guns and declared the hold-up.

Damasco said one of the robbers then told Sarmiento “Ayaw na lang bunot” referring to the latter’s .9mm caliber pistol tucked in his waist while the second robber barked at Margarita “Tabi! Tabi!”

Afraid that the robbers might shoot and kill her husband, Margarita allegedly ordered him to just heed their orders.

The culprits successfully took away Sarmiento’s firearm; P9,000 cash; and each of the victim’s gold necklaces all amounting to P36,000 before they speed off away from the place.

Supt. Henry Biñas, chief of TCPO, said the robbers, who, Sarmiento described as big-built men and all carrying .45 caliber guns, do not belong to the local robbery group.

Meanwhile, Guadalupe Police Station chief, Sr. Insp. Mario Monilar, told The FREEMAN that they are coordinating with TCPO regarding the incident.

Monilar added that he has ordered Sarmiento to describe the robbers so they could come up with a cartographic sketch. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB