3 men ‘maul’ guard, take his service gun

CEBU, Philippines – A 21-year-old drunk man and two other companions were arrested by police Sunday after the former allegedly grabbed a security guard's service firearm outside a 24-hour convenience store in Pueblo Verde, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

Tension rose when Luther Molina of San Carlos Village, Barangay Marigondon got into an argument with security guard on-duty Roberto Ducoy Jr. at around 5 p.m.

Senior Police Officer 1 Candido Barinque of Basak Police Station 4 said Ducoy was stationed outside the convenience store when Molina and his two friends, who were reportedly under the influence of alcohol, arrived.

Molina's friends were identified by police as Joel Rivera, 30, a jeepney driver, and Roldan Arnelia, 26, a construction worker.

Rivera and Arnelia are also residents of Barangay Marigondon.

Ducoy, according to Barinque, immediately warned Molina of his drunken behavior, which might create trouble in the area.

But after Ducoy cautioned Molina, the latter grabbed his .357 caliber revolver while Arnelia and Roldan forcibly gripped the arms of the security guard, Barinque said.

The security guard was mauled by the three men who then eventually fled from the area onboard a tricycle.

Molina reportedly carried with him Ducoy's firearm.

Responding police then conducted a police search against the suspects who were later cornered in Barangay Gabi, Cordova town.

Barinque said the suspects are detained in the holding cell of Basak Police Station and will face robbery charges, including a complaint of physical injuries and drunkenness.