Soldier stabbed for trying to foil robbery

CEBU, Philippines - A soldier, who was trying to help a fellow passenger, ended being stabbed while on board a passenger jeepney in sitio Jai Alai, barangay Mambaling last Wednesday morning.

Staff Sgt. Jovito Mendez, 47, resident of V. Rama St. and assigned to the Central Command in Barangay Apas sustained a stab wound on the right thigh and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.

Late afternoon of the same day, operatives of the Theft and Robbery Section arrested through hot pursuit operation the suspect, Romar Alonzo Alfajardo alias “Negro,” 25, a resident of Sitio Tinabangay 1, Barangay Mambaling.

Alfajardo’s alleged cohorts, Samson Batobalonos and Charlie Cominguez alias “Aye,” both residents of Sitio Hoyonghoyong, Alaska, Barangay Mambaling, are now being hunted down.

Alfajardo was positively identified as one of the three robbers who robbed passengers of a public utility jeepney bound for Alumnos Mambaling (08G) along Sitio Jai Alai at almost 3 a.m. last Wednesday.

Just as the suspects succeeded in divesting the P1,400 cash from Jovelyn Reyes, 36, the military officer allegedly tried to help her but Alfajardo suddenly stabbed him on his right thigh using a three-edged knife.

The three then fled right away while the injured victim was taken to the hospital.

The victims reported the incident to the Mambaling Police Station.

Police said the suspects are notorious robbers in the area.

Reyes, a resident of Sitio Alegre, Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, accused the jeepney driver of being in cahoots with the suspects.

Alfajardo, in an interview with reporters yesterday, denied the accusation, saying it was one of his cohorts who stabbed Mendez. He also denied being a “notorious” robber as he has just involved himself in robbery incidents.

A charge for robbery with physical injured will be filed against Alfajardo and his cohorts who still remain at large.   (FREEMAN NEWS)