Makati bank robber falls

The Makati City police has arrested one of the three suspects in the EastWest bank heist last Sunday but the alleged mastermind, who used to be one of the bank’s security guards, managed to escape.

Police also recovered P20,000 of the reported P3 million loot.

Authorities, conducted follow up operations last Nov. 11 at around 4 p.m. at 65 G2 Kaliraya street, Tatalon, New Manila, Quezon City, hoping to arrest alleged mastermind, Melvin Braga and his cohorts.

However, they only collared Braga’s relative, Rey, 42, from whom police recovered the money.

Police got a breakthrough in the case after Michael Estampa, one of the bank’s two security guards who was also injured in the heist, told them that Melvin Braga had asked him to join the robbery during a drinking session last Oct. 19.

Estampa said Braga was the godfather of his youngest son.

It turned out Estampa would be on duty last Nov. 9, when Braga and his group finally robbed the bank, armed with caliber .45 caliber pistols.

Estampa told police he saw Braga inside the red car that followed the taxi cab, which the suspects hailed and used as their getaway vehicle.

The three suspects was led by Rey Braga and shot Estampa, bank teller Noli Veloria, and security guard Jun Albania.

Estampa was hit on the foot while Veloria sustained gunshots in the leg and hand.

Albania positively identified Rey Braga as the one who shot him several times but missed. Albania tried to shoot back but his shotgun jammed.

Retired police Gen. Emiliano Templo, vice-president for Security Services of Filinvest Development Corp., holding company of EastWest Bank told investigators that the robbers carted away with an estimated P3 million, police record showed.

The suspect would be charged with robbery holdup and frustrated homicide before the Makati City prosecutor’s office. — Nikko Dizon