Policewoman foils FX robbery

A policewoman from the anti-kidnapping unit based in Camp Crame, foiled an FX taxi robbery last Wednesday in Marikina City, resulting in the wounding of one suspect and the arrest of another.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. ordered the spot promotion of SPO2 Erma Jabal, of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER), for displaying extraordinary courage while in the call of duty.

Jabal paid a courtesy call on Ebdane and Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco during the presentation yesterday of suspects Randy Salonga, 23, and Elmer Basco, 26 at the National Police Commission headquarters in Makati City.

Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., Marikina City police chief, said Jabal was on her way home on board an FX taxi when the three suspects announced the heist while the vehicle was passing a dimly-lit portion of Spain street, Greenheights Phase 11, Barangay Concepcion 1 at about 10:30 p.m.

The suspects divested the passengers, including Jabal, of their cash, valuables and personal belongings.

When the suspects relax, Jabal took out her caliber .9mm automatic pistol, identified herself as a cop and asked them to surrender.

When Salonga pointed his gun at Jabal, the cop opened fire, hitting him in the buttocks. After an exchange of fire, the suspects alighted from the vehicle and escaped.

Salonga and the FX driver, Eric Gatela, who was hit by a stray bullet in the back, were rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Rojas said his men recovered a caliber .38 revolver and a fan knife inside the taxi.

A search led to the arrest of Basco, who was being treated for a gunshot wound in the right arm at the Quirino Memorial Hospital in Quezon City. The third suspect, known only by his alias, Kuwatog, is now being hunted by the police. Basco, who was allegedly high on drugs, claimed they pulled off the heist to support their drug needs.