4 persons die in ambush

Four persons, including a Philippine Navy officer, were killed while another was seriously wounded when 12 armed men robbed them of P4.5 million in Novaliches, Quezon City Monday night.

Declared dead on the spot were Ruben Lucanas and Feliciano Escranda, security guards of Emeritus Security Agency; and Leonardo Faina, driver, of Asia Trust Bank branch in Novaliches. The fourth fatality, Navy officer Pio Esguerra, was declared dead on arrival at the Far Eastern University Hospital. Police said Esguerra was hit in the head by a stray bullet when his Toyota Revo (WFN-364) was caught in a crossfire between the robbers and the security guards.

Esguerra’s companion, a certain Anita, was also hit by stray bullets and is now in critical condition at the FEU Hospital.

Investigation showed the Asia Trust Bank employees were going to deposit some P4.5 million at their main office when their vehicle, a Toyota Corolla (WFF-387), was blocked by the suspects’ two Toyota Revos without license plates at about 7:30 p.m. along Commonwealth Extension, Jordan Heights Subdivision, Barangay Sta. Monica, Novaliches.

Police said the suspects, wearing fatigues, immediately fired at the victims’ vehicle. A bank teller identified as Marvin Ogalesco, who was with the victims, reportedly managed to escape the ambush.

After the shooting, the suspects scooped the six duffle bags containing the money inside the car and escaped on board their vehicles. – Jhay Mejias