Messenger killed, loses P3.3 M in heist

Robbers shot dead a 59-year-old messenger yesterday then took off with at least P3.3 million in cash intended for deposit in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Dead on arrival at the Metropolitan Hospital was Pedro Cuartero, employed by remittance courier firm JPSA Global Services.

Cuartero sustained gunshot wounds in the chest and leg.

Police said Cuartero and another messenger of the firm, Cleofo Nega Jr., 26, withdrew more than P8 million from an I-Bank branch in Masangkay street Sta. Cruz at about 10 a.m.

The money was placed in two large bags. The bag being carried by Nega contained some P3.3 million to be deposited at Banco de Oro and Landbank. Another bag, containing at least P5 million, was to be deposited by Cuartero at the Philippine National Bank.

The two messengers rode in tandem on a black motorcycle (VE-4032). Cuartero was driving with one of the bags securely tied with a rope in front of him. Nega was holding the other bag.

As the motorcycle reached the corner of Severino Reyes and Bambang streets in Sta. Cruz , they were stopped by two men. One of them was armed with a caliber .45 pistol and announced a holdup.

The suspect fired a shot on the pavement. The bullet ricocheted and hit Cuartero in the right leg.

Nega said that out of fear, he handed his bag to one of the suspects. The other suspect tried but failed to untie the rope securing the second money bag. Out of frustration, the suspect shot Cuartero in the chest.

The two robbers then rode on a waiting motorcycle driven by another suspect, who also served as a lookout. They left the second money bag.

Witnesses furnished police the descriptions of the suspects, who were described to be in their early 30s. People in the area told police they have noticed the suspects in the area some 30 minutes before the robbery. — Nestor Etolle