NBI agent foils bus robbery

An agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) foiled a robbery attempt inside a passenger bus at about noon yesterday in Makati City, leaving both suspects injured.

However, a stray bullet also hit a woman who was onboard a passenger jeepney.

Suspect Benjamin Santiago sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen and another part of his body when he shot it out with NBI Special Agent Jhonwell Tiggangay.

Santiago’s cohort, Michael Salvador, was mauled by bystanders when he tried to flee the scene.

Passenger Anita Besitan was hit on her side but is now in stable condition at the Makati Medical Center, police said.

The incident happened at around 11 a.m. at the corner of Bautista street and Gil Puyat Avenue.

Tiggangay was a passenger of MJCG bus (PYK-117), bound for Leveriza and driven by Angelito Nicdao, when the suspects announced the holdup, said case investigator PO1 Noli Jucal of the Makati police Theft and Robbery Section.

Santiago was armed with a homemade caliber .38 revolver while Salvador had a knife.

While the two divested the passengers’ valuables, including Tinggangay’s cellular phone, the NBI agent stood up and announced that he was a law enforcer.

Tiggangay and Bautista then exchanged fire. With the latter hit, Salvador jumped off the bus and tried to run.

But the NBI agent pursued Salvador, who was cornered by irate bystanders.– Nikko