Bike-riding robbers attack collectors

CEBU, Philippines – Two lending collectors lost their daily collections after each of them was robbed in a span of 10 minutes in two adjacent barangays in Mandaue City last Monday afternoon.

One of the victims was hurt after he was shot by one of the suspects.

The first victim was identified as Richard Corda, 41, of Sitio Caimitohan, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City and works as a lending collector of Gibo Credit Services based in Consolacion town.

Police Officer 3 Arvin Palonpon of Basak Police Station said the robbery took place around 3:30 p.m. last Monday in Sitio Basbas, Barangay Pagsabungan.

Palonpon said Corda came from one of his customers when two motorcycle-riding men onboard a black XRM pointed an undetermined caliber of firearm on him and announced the hold-up.

The backrider then took his P5,000 collection and cellular phone and shot him on his right leg before speeding off. Bystanders immediately called for police assistance and the victim was brought to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

But just as the operatives of the Basak Police Station were conducting further investigation about the first incident, they again received another robbery alarm in the adjacent Barangay Paknaan wherein  Esperedion Arnada, 33, of Minglanilla town, a lending collector of  AJL Finance Corporation in Consolacion, was also robbed by two motorcycle-riding men. PO3 Palonpon said the victim just finished collecting money from a store when he was also held up by two men still onboard a motorcycle and both wearing helmets.

Both suspects also took his P5,000 cash and sped off towards Consolacion town, police said.