Robbers take P3.5M, kill cash courier

A courier of a money exchange shop in Malate, Manila was robbed of some P3.5 million by armed men and then shot dead last Monday afternoon.

The victim was identified the victim as Jack Chiong, 45, a stay-in courier and messenger of the Perniza Money Changer located at 405 Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila.

According to the police, Chiong and his fellow courier, Rakib Sali, 25, had just withdrawn the cash from a Binondo bank branch and was heading back to their shop at about 4:05 p.m. When the couriers reached Victoria Street, just opposite the Mehan Gardens, a group of armed men armed with pistols blocked their path.

The suspects then ordered Chiong and Sali to surrender the duffel bags filled with cash. Police said Sali surrendered the duffle bag he was carrying and sped away aboard his motorcycle.

However, Chiong, after handing over his cash-filled duffle bag, Chiong reportedly tried to resist. This prompted the suspects to shoot him, then escaped with the duffel bags.

Passersby rushed Chiong to the Philippine General Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshot wounds. Police are eyeing a possible "inside job" as the suspects knew which route the couriers would take and what time they would pass.

Meanwhile, two unidentified men on board a gray Kawasaki Ninja big bike robbed a door-to-door delivery man at gunpoint in Caloocan City the other day.

Police identified the victim as Emerson Quetulio, 31, married, of 53 Concepcion St., Victory Heights, Novaliches, Quezon City.

The suspects snatched about P200,000 in cash from Quetulio, a customer associate of the MNL Forwarders Services. The victim had P450,000 in cash, which he was about to deliver to customers when the incident happened.

The victim had just delivered P28,000 to consignee Rhodalyn Tayo of 641 Gemini St., Gremville Subdivision, Caloocan when the holdup happened at around 12:45 p.m. – Mike Frialde and Nikko Dizon