Man shot on legs, gets robbed

CEBU, Philippines – A man who works as a collector lost his bag containing valuables to two armed men on a motorcycle last Monday afternoon at A. Logarta Street, sitio Malibu, barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Investigation and Detection Management Branch of Mandaue City Police Office identified the victim Jeremiah Garcia, 26, a native of Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

Garcia served as collector and business development officer of Arben International Marketing Incorporated.

He sustained gunshot wounds on both legs.

The robbers took his bag containing four cellular phones worth P57,000, an iPod worth P15, 000, 2 wristwatches, company and personal checks, a credit card, and a com-pany's daily report transmittal.

According to PO2 Marino Lofranco, Garcia was going to drop by a laundry station in Mabolo, Cebu City and was planning to do the collection afterward.

Lofranco said Garcia was on board in his motorcycle when the incident happened around 1: 30 PM.

"Nagsakay ni siya sa iyang motor sa dihang gitulis ni siya," Lofranco said.

Lofranco said two unidentified men on a motorcycle and suddenly blocked Garcia's path.

In an interview, Garcia said he gave his bag because the men were armed.

Garcia said if he had immediately given his bag to the men, he probably would not have been shot.

"Wala akong intensiyong lumaban. Natagalan lang ko sa pagbigay ng bag ko kaya siguro binaril nila ako," Garcia told The FREEMAN.

Garcia said the man who was riding behind the driver fired thrice at him, one bullet missing him.

Garcia said the three cell phones and wallet he had in his pocket were not taken.

"Buti na lang hindi nila ako kinapkapan kundi pati wallet at tatlong cell phone ko sa bulsa natangay," Garcia said.

Police said a taxi driver and another man saw what happened. 

The taxi driver said seeing the gun of one of the men stopped him from helping Garcia.

"Kon wala pa to sila'y armas, layatan to nako (If only they were not armed, I would have jumped on them)," he said.

Garcia fainted after getting shot and was immediately taken to Perpetual Socour Hospital.

Doctors said Garcia will be confined for four to five days.

IDMB's deputy chief Ramil Morpos said the police have clues that would lead to the identity of the suspects.

"Murag apil ni sila og notadong grupo sa mga tulisan sa Cebu City. Gitun-an pa ni namo," Morpos said.

Morpos told The FREEMAN the police would be putting up more checkpoints. (FREEMAN)