Cop, woman killed in QC jeepney rob

A policeman and a woman were killed while four others were wounded when a jeepney holdup staged by four armed men turned into a bloody shootout in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Both fatalities, P03 Henry Ubalde, assigned to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and a resident of Pasig City, and Lavinia Bulanon, 19, of Navotas, died while undergoing treatment at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC).

Police said Ubalde succumbed to two gunshot wounds in the chest while Bulanon suffered a stab wound in the neck. Wounded were Carmilo Yap, 31, of 3576 Batas st., Sta. Mesa, Manila; Joy Dominguez, 26, of 24 18th Avenue, Murphy, Cubao; Michael Malate, 22, of Lupang Pangako, Payatas, both in Quezon City; and Armando Palmiano, 18, of Navotas.

One of the holdup suspects, who was identified as Paul Jerald Tamayo, 16, of Francisco Homes, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan was also wounded. He was taken to EAMC while his four companions managed to escape.

Witnesses said all the victims were on board the passenger jeepney travelling along East Avenue in Quezon City when the five holdupmen, armed with guns and knives, announced the holdup upon reaching BIR street.

While the robbers were divesting the passengers’ belongings, Ubalde introduced himself as a cop. But before he could draw his gun, two of the robbers shot him in the chest.

Although wounded, Ubalde was able to shoot Tamayo. The commotion apparently triggered the other robbers into panic and attacked other passengers. – Cecille Suerte Felipe